Travel vaccinations
VACCINE NEWS:
- We have managed to source a limited number of Japanese Encephalitis (Ixiaro®) vaccines, despite the national shortage (due to last till end of September). Unfortunately, the price is (temporarily) slightly higher at £118 per dose.
At TrExMed Travel Clinic, Edinburgh, we offer all the usual travel vaccinations you would expect, plus a few that are only available via a specialist clinic or prescribed on an 'off-label' basis.
As responsible experts, we at TrExMed apply the latest epidemiological evidence (e.g. from the 'Steffenograph') on the actual relative risks to travellers of vaccine-preventable diseases in each destination when advising the order in which to consider/prioritise travel vaccinations, rather than following the somewhat illogical (and therefore confusing), standard country listings on TravelHealthPro.
We also prefer to critically appraise the latest safety and effectiveness evidence on vaccines for ourselves, rather than blindly follow JCVI guidance, which is at times out-of-date, illogical and patient-unfriendly (particularly with regard to Rabies, Dengue, Tick-borne Encephalitis and TB). In general, we find the World Health Organisation (WHO) provides the most reliable, unbiased, well reasoned and practical vaccine recommendations.
Prices of our most commonly prescribed travel vaccinations are listed below. Where a 'return visit' for follow-up vaccines is required, this is naturally included in the initial appointment charge.
TRAVEL VACCINATION PRICES
| VACCINE | PRICE PER DOSE | USUAL NUMBER OF VISITS | PRICE OF INITIAL COURSE (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | 75 | 1 | 75 |
| Rabies (WHO intra-dermal regime) |
60 | 2 | 120 |
| Rabies (WHO intra-muscular regime) | 120 | 2 | 240 |
| Japanese encephalitis - Ixiaro | 118 | 2 | 236 |
| Dengue - Qdenga | 99 | 2 | 198 |
| Hepatitis A (child / adult) | 32 / 37 | 1 | 32 / 37 |
| Hepatitis A + B (adult) - Twinrix | 64 | 3 | 166 |
| Hepatitis A + B (child) - Ambirix | 59 | 2 | 118 |
| Hepatitis B (child / adult) | 25 / 38 | 3 | 75 / 114 |
| Whooping cough (TDaP + polio) | 46 | 1 | 46 |
| Typhoid (IM / oral) | 24 / 32 | 1 | 24 /32 |
| Chikungunya live - Ixchiq | 149 | 1 | 149 |
| Chikungnya VLP - Vimkunya | 154 | 1 | 154 |
| Cholera & ETEC (oral) |
35 |
2 | 70 |
| Meningococcal ACWY (conjugated) | 59.5 |
1 | 59.5 |
| Meningococcal B (Bexsero) | 130 | 2 | 260 |
| Tick-borne encephalitis (child / adult) | 60/64 | 2 | 120/128 |
| Chickenpox | 57.50 | 2 | 115 |
| Shingles - Shingrix | 240 | 2 | 480 |
| HPV - Gardasil 9 |
175 | 1-3* | 175-525* |
(*1 dose up to 24 yrs, 2 doses from 25-44 and 3 doses > 45 or immunocompromised)
We keep a good stock of most of the above vaccines in our fridge. Other, more expensive vaccines, e.g. Shingrix, HPV etc. can be ordered in on request.
TrExMed Travel Clinic Edinburgh is a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. Follow this link for more information about Yellow Fever and YF vaccination.
Rabies is one of the most important travel vaccinations to have before travelling. There are very few countries in the world which are free of rabies. Please visit this page for further information on rabies and the vaccination schedules we offer.
We also offer post-exposure vaccinations for those whom have started a course of these elsewhere.
Japanese Encephalitis is another vaccine to consider for both short and long term travel to South-East Asia. Please visit this page for information on Japanese Encephalitis.
The type of meningococcal ACWY vaccinations we use (Menveo or Nimenrix) offer the best overall protection against bacterial meningitis in the tropics. This is the conjugated vaccine required for Hajj pilgrims by the Saudi authorities.
BCG is a vaccine that used to be recommended for all teenagers in the UK to help prevent tuberculosis (TB). However, it has been shown for some time now, through numerous, large-scale, international trials that BCG offers little or no individual protection against TB infection or from developing TB disease.
BCG does offer some protection is in the first two years of life from developing the more severe forms of TB, such as TB meningitis and pericarditis. It is for this reason alone that BCG is routinely offered at birth to babies in highly endemic countries, and to infants in the UK likely to have visiting relatives from such countries.
BCG vaccine is thus of very limited use in travellers: It is only recommended by the WHO for infants (i.e. under the age of two) travelling or migrating to a country of higher TB prevalence.
Even for health care workers going to work on a TB ward, AIDS orphanage or with street kids in a developing country, there is now thought to be no significant additional protective benefit from having had the BCG vaccine.
In addition to the travel vaccinations listed above, we also offer some useful vaccines for people who missed or who fall outwith the target ages or populations for NHS immunisations under the national schedule.
These include: meningococcal B, chickenpox, HPV, shingles and MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccines. These are usually administered with a 'single item' appointment. Please contact us in advance if you would like to request either a shingles or HPV vaccine, as we would need to order for these in especially for you, due to the cost.
©Jim Bond, Nov. 2025
