United Kingdom
Travel Destination – United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers a diverse travel experience, from London’s iconic landmarks and world-class museums to the rugged Scottish Highlands, the lakes of Cumbria, and the coastal paths of Wales and Cornwall. Visitors can explore royal palaces, ancient castles, university towns such as Oxford and Cambridge, and vibrant arts and food scenes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As a highly developed nation with an advanced healthcare system, the UK has high standards of sanitation, food safety, and medical care. However, infectious diseases still circulate, seasonal respiratory viruses are common, and preventative precautions can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to the UK, consult a travel doctor to review your immunisations, ensure routine vaccines are up to date, and get personalised advice based on your itinerary.
Even with the UK’s advanced healthcare system, Australian visitors may still face unexpected out-of-pocket costs unless they’re covered by the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) or have comprehensive travel insurance. Under the RHCA, Australians can access medically necessary treatment through the NHS, but this is limited and may not include services such as ambulance transport, dental care, or non-urgent treatment.
The RHCA is not a substitute for Medicare and only covers essential public healthcare, meaning private treatment, repatriation, and travel-related disruptions are not included—making travel insurance strongly recommended.
Schedule your appointment six to eight weeks before departure for any required vaccines and to discuss individual risk factors or planned outdoor activities. Review travel insurance and carry sufficient medications with copies of prescriptions. Stay updated with official travel advice during your trip for a safe and healthy visit.
Food and water hygiene
The UK’s food and water safety standards are generally high and comparable to those in Australia. However, gastrointestinal illness can still occur, sometimes linked to crowded food markets or outdoor events.
Practise routine food hygiene by washing hands before meals, choosing freshly prepared foods, and drinking tap water, which is safe in most locations. Most conditions improve on their own, however if you experience persistent diarrhoea, severe dehydration or atypical symptoms, seek medical care.
Insect avoidance
While the risk of serious insect‑borne disease in the UK is low, ticks and midges can bite during outdoor activities. In certain parts of the UK, Tick-Borne Encephalitis is a rare condition that can be transmitted through tick bites to travellers spending extended time in forests or rural areas.
Protect yourself from insect bites by wearing long sleeves and trousers, using repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and checking for ticks daily. Prompt, accurate removal of ticks and good hygiene after outdoor activities further reduce risk.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for the United Kingdom?
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that continues to cause outbreaks in parts of the United Kingdom, including in major cities such as London and Birmingham. The virus spreads easily through respiratory droplets and can remain airborne in enclosed spaces such as airports, public transport, schools, and large events.
Although measles transmission is low in Australia due to strong vaccination programs, international travel increases exposure risk. All travellers should ensure they are fully vaccinated before departure. Those born during or after 1966 should have documentation of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, usually given as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised travellers should seek personalised medical advice well in advance of travel.
Influenza
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Influenza circulates seasonally in the United Kingdom, with peak activity typically occurring during the northern hemisphere winter from December to March. However, sporadic transmission can occur at other times of the year. Travellers are at increased risk of exposure in crowded indoor environments, including public transport networks, theatres, and sporting venues.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and older, particularly those at increased risk of complications such as older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. As UK flu season timing differs from Australia’s, a travel health consultation can confirm whether your current seasonal vaccine provides appropriate protection.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 remains present worldwide, including across the United Kingdom, with intermittent surges occurring from time to time. Transmission often increases during autumn and winter, when indoor gatherings and crowded environments are more common. Travelling internationally can heighten the chance of exposure, particularly in busy airports, on long-haul flights, and at large indoor events or attractions.
Travellers should ensure their COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date in accordance with current Australian health guidance. This includes six-monthly boosters for those aged 75 and over and annual boosters for those aged 65 to 74. A travel health consultation can help determine whether further vaccination is recommended based on your age, medical history, and the timing of previous doses.
Routine vaccinations
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Before travelling to the United Kingdom, ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date. Although healthcare standards are high, infections such as measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and seasonal influenza continue to circulate, and outbreaks of measles have occurred in recent years.
Routine immunisations typically include tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Depending on age and medical history, this may also include varicella (chickenpox) and shingles vaccination. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines are not routinely required for short-term travellers to the UK but may be recommended for some individuals based on personal risk factors, occupation, or longer stays.
A pre-travel consultation provides an opportunity to review your immunisation history and identify any required or recommended booster doses.
United Kingdom
Other health risks in the United Kingdom
Gastroenteritis
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The United Kingdom has high food safety and drinking water standards, with regulated public water systems and strong environmental health controls. However, Gastroenteritis in the United Kingdom remains one of the most common health issues affecting both residents and international visitors. Seasonal outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis, particularly norovirus during autumn and winter, occur regularly. Bacterial food poisoning can also develop from contaminated or improperly stored food. Travellers to the UK may experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever, typically beginning within 24 to 72 hours after exposure.
Maintaining hydration is the most important aspect of treatment. Oral rehydration solutions are recommended to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions. Most mild cases of gastroenteritis resolve within several days, but medical attention should be sought if symptoms are severe, atypical or persistent.
To reduce the risk of food poisoning while travelling in the United Kingdom, practise frequent and thorough handwashing, particularly before meals. Choose freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked meals, and ensure food is properly stored and served at safe temperatures.
Lyme disease
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Lyme disease is present in the United Kingdom and is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Higher-risk areas include rural and wooded regions of southern England and the Scottish Highlands.
Travellers are at greater risk when hiking, camping, or walking in long grass and forested areas, particularly during spring and summer. Early symptoms may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes an expanding rash at the site of the bite.
Prevention focuses on avoiding tick bites by using insect repellent, wearing long clothing, and checking for ticks after outdoor activities. Early treatment with antibiotics is effective and reduces the risk of complications.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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The United Kingdom is generally a safe destination for travellers, with relatively low rates of violent crime affecting visitors. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft can occur in busy tourist areas, shopping districts, and on public transport, particularly in major cities including London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
Demonstrations, large public gatherings, and occasional civil disturbances occur periodically and may disrupt transport or local services. Travellers are advised to avoid protests, follow instructions from local authorities, and remain vigilant in crowded areas. Staying informed through Smartraveller updates before and during travel is recommended to ensure a safe and incident-free visit.
Deep vein thrombosis
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For Australian travellers, the long-haul flight to the United Kingdom substantially increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Prolonged immobility during flights can slow blood flow in the legs, increasing the likelihood of clot formation.
To reduce risk, travellers should walk regularly during the flight, perform seated leg exercises, remain well hydrated, and limit alcohol intake. Those with additional risk factors such as previous DVT, pregnancy, obesity, or certain medical conditions should seek personalised medical advice before travel. Below-knee compression stockings may be recommended in some cases.