Travel vaccinations are not last-minute purchases. A handful of them need to be completed days or weeks before you depart in order to give you protection at your destination. As a rule of thumb, book a travel consult 6–8 weeks before you fly, earlier if you’re going somewhere with rabies risk or planning to be away for a long stretch.
Why timing matters
Vaccines don’t protect you the moment they enter your arm. Most need 1–2 weeks for your immune system to respond fully, and several travel vaccines require multiple doses spaced weeks apart. If you arrive at your destination only partially protected, the trip can do more harm than good.
Rough timing guide
- Hepatitis A, single dose protects from ~14 days after vaccination. Book at least 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis B, full course is 3 doses over 6 months. Accelerated schedules exist for last-minute trips.
- Hepatitis A + B (combined), typically 3 doses over 6 months for full course.
- Typhoid, single dose; protective 1–2 weeks after vaccination.
- Cholera (oral), 2 doses, at least 1 week apart; completed at least 1 week before exposure.
- Japanese encephalitis, 2 doses, 28 days apart.
- Rabies (pre-exposure), 3 doses over 3–4 weeks. Book early if you’re going somewhere with rabies risk.
- Meningococcal ACWY, single dose; usually required for travel to certain destinations (e.g. Hajj).
- Yellow fever, single dose; certificate required for entry to some countries. Available only at Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres.
What a travel consult covers
A typical travel consult takes 20–30 minutes and includes:
- Your itinerary, planned activities (hiking? remote areas? extended stays?), and accommodation
- Your immunisation history and any catch-ups needed
- Risk advice on food and water, mosquito-borne illness, altitude, and motion sickness
- A recommended vaccination plan with timing
- Where applicable, malaria prevention advice and referral for prescription medication
Bring your records
Pull your immunisation history statement from myGov or the Medicare Express Plus app before your consult, and bring a copy of any vaccinations given overseas. We can reconcile these against the Australian Immunisation Register and identify any gaps.
You can read more about our travel program or book a travel consult online. Yellow fever vaccination is referred to an accredited centre.
Sources & further reading
General information only. This article is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Your immuniser will confirm eligibility and contraindications on the day.
TGA advertising compliance. Vaccines are referred to by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Specific brands and registered indications are discussed at the consultation.