Top travel destinations and the vaccinations required

When travelling abroad, certain vaccinations may be required to protect you from serious diseases found in some travel destination countries, like yellow fever, hepatitis A and typhoid. Here in the UK, people are advised to have a routine immunisation schedule that includes vaccinations such as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. They are also advised to be up-to-date with their Covid-19 vaccine and quick to spot Covid-19 symptoms. 

When planning a holiday abroad, it’s important to check whether a travel vaccine is needed for your country of choice as some vaccinations must be given weeks before you travel to allow your body time to develop immunity. 

In this article, we look at the most travelled to countries in 2023 for each continent and if a vaccination is required for that destination. We also provide you with some important health tips to remember when travelling abroad. 

Most travelled to country by continent and the recommended vaccinations

Using data from The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2021 or the latest available year, we have compiled a list of the most visited countries by continent for 2023, using overnight visitors (tourists).

• Europe: France was the most visited country in Europe, with 48 million overnight visitors (tourists).
• North America: There were 31 million overnight visitors (tourists) to Mexico during 2023. 
• South America: In South America, Uruguay was the most visited destination, with 3 million overnight visitors (tourists). 
• Australia: 5 million overnight visitors (tourists) travelled to Australia throughout 2023. 
• Asia: The United Arab Emirates saw 11 million overnight visitors (tourists), making it the top destination to explore in Asia. 
• Africa: In Africa, the most visited country in 2023 was Egypt, with 12 million overnight visitors (tourists). 

To find out whether any travel vaccines are required for each of the top destinations listed above, we have used information from Travel Health Pro. Let’s take a look at the recommended vaccinations for these locations.

France

Certificate requirements under International Health Regulations? None.

Most travellers are advised to have completed a tetanus vaccination course, and a booster vaccination is recommended.

Some travellers may be required to get a pre-exposure rabies vaccine if they are at an increased risk. For example, if they work in a laboratory working with the rabies virus or with bats. 

Another vaccine that some travellers may need is the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination. This is recommended for people who work in farming, foresting, the military and woodcutting who may be at an increased risk. 

Mexico

Certificate requirements under International Health Regulations? None.

Travellers who have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A will need this before visiting Mexico, but the vaccine does provide long-lasting protection. A booster tetanus vaccination may also be required if the last dose was over 10 years ago. 

Oral and injectable typhoid vaccinations are recommended for travellers visiting family or friends, young children, and those in contact with an infected person. People who frequently visit or stay for long periods in areas with poor sanitation and food hygiene are also advised to get the typhoid vaccine. 

Some travellers are recommended the rabies vaccination if they have planned activities that put them at an increased risk at this travel destination. 

Uruguay

Certificate requirements under International Health Regulations? None.

Most travellers visiting Uruguay will need a tetanus vaccination in line with the UK schedule, and a booster vaccination may be required if the last dose was more than 10 years ago. 

The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for some travellers whose activities put them at risk, such as backpackers who may visit rural areas at this travel destination and stay in basic accommodation, and people who may be exposed to the virus through their work. 

A hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for some people who may have unprotected sex, and be exposed to contaminated shared needles through drug use or as a result of medical or dental care. 

Rabies and typhoid vaccinations are also recommended to some travellers visiting Uruguay. 

Australia

Certificate requirements under International Health Regulations? Yes, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers over the age of one year travelling or transiting from countries with yellow fever transmission, although there is no risk of transmission in Australia. 

As of 11 July 2016, the yellow fever certificate is valid for life for the vaccinated person, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Most travellers are advised to get a tetanus booster, and some people may be required to get the hepatitis B vaccine and the rabies vaccination. 

Some travellers may also need the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccination if they have activities that may put them at risk, like visiting rural areas, for example. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Certificate requirements under International Health Regulations? Yes, a certificate is needed as proof of vaccination against yellow fever for travellers aged nine months or over visiting or transiting from countries at risk of yellow fever transmission. However, there is no risk of yellow fever transmission in the UAE. 

Some people travelling to the UAE may need to get hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rabies vaccinations, and most visitors should have had a tetanus vaccination or may require a booster vaccination. 

Egypt

Certificate requirements under International Health Regulations? While there is no risk of yellow fever transmission in Egypt, a certificate is needed as evidence of a yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged nine months or older when arriving from or transiting through countries at risk of yellow fever transmission. 

People are advised to have a completed tetanus vaccination course or a recent booster vaccination. A hepatitis A vaccine is also recommended for most travellers to Egypt. 

Some travellers may also need rabies, typhoid, and hepatitis B vaccinations, while some people may need a polio vaccination or booster vaccination.

Important health tips to remember when travelling abroad

Prioritising your health and wellbeing is important and doing so can allow you peace of mind to fully enjoy your holiday destination. Here are some important health tips to remember when travelling abroad:

1. Allow plenty of time for vaccinations.

The NHS recommends getting any travel vaccinations six to eight weeks before you arrive at your travel destination to allow your body to develop immunity. You can visit your GP or local pharmacy if they offer a travel vaccine service. 

2. Take out travel insurance.

Always ensure you have adequate travel health insurance when travelling abroad to cover unexpected medical expenses. 

3. Be cautious with food and drink.

Travelling allows you to explore different cuisines, but where you can try to make safe choices when it comes to food and drink to avoid illnesses. 

4. Minimise the risk of insect bites. 

Take measures such as wearing protective clothing, spraying insect repellent, and using impregnated mosquito nets to help minimise the risk of insect bites, which can cause skin irritation and infection.

5. Take your medication and health supplies.

Check if there are travel restrictions regarding your medication. Ensure you have an ample supply of medications that will last the duration of your trip and any delays you may encounter. Keep medication in the original packaging with prescriptions.

Please Note: This information is from January 2024, but please bear in mind that health advice and vaccination recommendations can change regularly and need to take your health and any medications you may be on into account. Please make an appointment for our Travel Health Service where we will reference the very latest information and discuss your broader health, before recommending relevant treatments or vaccinations