Last-Minute Travel Vaccines: What You Can Still Get 1–2 Weeks Before You Fly

Short answer: it's almost never too late. Even with a week or two to go, most travel vaccines are still worth getting, several have fast-track schedules that fit inside a fortnight, and the most common malaria tablets start just a day or two before you go. There's really only one hard deadline: a yellow fever certificate isn't valid until 10 days after vaccination, so if your destination requires one, that's the date to work back from.

The ideal is still to see a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure — our guide on how far in advance to see a travel doctor explains why. But if you're past that point, book the appointment anyway. Here's what you can realistically get done.

The last-minute cheat sheet

Now the detail behind each one.

Hepatitis A: get it, even at the last minute

Hepatitis A is one of the most common vaccine-preventable infections in travellers, and it's the easiest last-minute win. CDC's guidance is that unvaccinated travellers going to countries with high or intermediate risk should receive a dose before departure, and more than 90% of people develop protective antibody levels within one month of the first dose.

If you're over 40, immunocompromised, or have chronic liver disease and leaving within two weeks, your clinician may also offer an injection of immune globulin alongside the vaccine for extra short-term cover. The second vaccine dose, 6–12 months later, gives long-term protection — you don't need to fit it in before this trip.

Typhoid: pick the injection when time is short

There are two typhoid vaccines, and with limited time the choice matters:

• Injection (Typhim Vi): one dose, ideally at least 2 weeks before travel. A later dose still starts building protection — worthwhile for a longer trip — but you'll be less protected for the first part of it.
• Oral capsules (Vivotif): four capsules on alternate days, finished at least 1 week before exposure. That's nearly two weeks start to finish, and the capsules clash with antibiotics. If you're leaving in under two weeks, the injection is the realistic choice.

Hepatitis A and typhoid can be given at the same appointment — our guide to getting typhoid and hepatitis A together covers the details.

Yellow fever: the one hard deadline

Yellow fever is different because, for some destinations, the certificate is an entry document. The International Certificate of Vaccination becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, and that's not negotiable at a border.

If you're inside the 10-day window and your destination (or a transit point) requires the certificate, your options are:

• Move your arrival date so it falls on day 10 or later
• Change your route — sometimes the requirement only applies because of a stopover; see does a layover count for yellow fever?
• Get a medical exemption if you genuinely can't have the vaccine — see yellow fever vaccine exemptions
• Accept the risk of being refused boarding or entry — not recommended

Already been vaccinated in the past? Your certificate is valid for life, so finding the old card is far quicker than getting a new jab. If it's lost, see how to replace a yellow fever certificate. And remember the vaccine is only available at authorised centres — use Find a Clinic to find one quickly.

Rabies: faster than you think

Plenty of older advice says rabies pre-exposure vaccination takes too long for last-minute travellers. That's out of date. CDC now recommends a two-dose schedule given on days 0 and 7, so if you have at least a week before you fly, you can complete it.

Why it's worth squeezing in for rural, long or adventurous trips: if you're bitten or scratched without pre-exposure vaccination, you need rabies immune globulin plus four vaccine doses over two weeks. CDC notes that the global supply of human rabies immune globulin falls short of demand, and it isn't available in many low- and middle-income countries. With pre-exposure vaccination, you need just two vaccine doses after a bite, and no immune globulin at all.

If you can't fit both doses in, don't panic — rabies is still entirely preventable with prompt treatment after an exposure. Our rabies guide for travellers explains exactly what to do after a bite.

Japanese encephalitis: possible for some adults

The JE vaccine (Ixiaro) normally needs two doses 28 days apart. For adults aged 18 to 65, CDC lists an accelerated schedule with the second dose as early as day 7 — but the series should be completed at least one week before travel. That means you realistically need about two weeks. Under-18s and over-65s need the standard 28-day gap.

JE is mainly a concern for longer stays or rural travel in parts of Asia — see our guides to Thailand, Vietnam, Bali and India.

Hepatitis B: fast-track schedules exist

Standard hepatitis B courses take six months, but there are faster options:

• Very rapid schedule: doses on days 0, 7 and 21, then a booster at 12 months. This is licensed for the combined hepatitis A/B vaccine Twinrix in adults, and for Engerix-B in adults in some countries, including the UK.
• Heplisav-B: two doses one month apart, for adults 18 and over.

With two weeks to go, you can usually get two doses of the very rapid schedule in before you leave, and finish the course when you're home. Ask your clinic which option they stock.

The quick ones: routine boosters

These can all be given right up to departure:

• MMR: measles is circulating widely, and checking your MMR status is now a standard part of travel prep — see why your MMR status matters for every trip.
• Tetanus/diphtheria booster if it's been 10+ years
• Flu and COVID-19 vaccines if due
• Polio booster — and for some countries a polio certificate is required on departure; see our polio certificate guide

One timing rule to know: if you need two live vaccines (for example MMR and yellow fever), get them on the same day or at least 28 days apart. Our guide to getting multiple travel vaccines at once explains why.

Malaria tablets: the good news

If you need malaria prevention, last-minute travel is very manageable:

• Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone): start 1–2 days before entering a malaria area; continue for 7 days after leaving.
• Doxycycline: start 1–2 days before; continue for 4 weeks after leaving.
• Mefloquine: start at least 2 weeks before — not a last-minute option.

CDC specifically lists Malarone and doxycycline as good choices for last-minute travellers. For help choosing, see Malarone vs doxycycline vs mefloquine or our full antimalarials guide. And whatever you take, mosquito bite prevention still matters.

Your countdown plan

14 days out: Book a travel clinic today. You can still fit in almost everything: hepatitis A, typhoid injection, yellow fever (if you'll arrive 10+ days later), both rabies doses, an accelerated JE course if you're 18–65, and two hepatitis B doses.

10 days out: Hepatitis A, typhoid injection, rabies (if day 7 falls before departure), routine boosters. Yellow fever only works if your arrival date in the destination that requires it is at least 10 days after the jab.

7 days out: Hepatitis A, typhoid injection, rabies dose 1 (and dose 2 if you can make day 7), boosters, first hepatitis B dose. Pick up Malarone or doxycycline if needed.

2–3 days out: Hepatitis A and boosters are still worth it. Start your malaria tablets. Focus hard on food, water and bite precautions — see our guide to traveller's diarrhoea.

How to make a last-minute appointment count

• Bring your vaccination records, including any old yellow fever certificate. Every vaccine you've already had is one you don't need now.
• Say your departure date and full itinerary up front, including stopovers.
• Ask for everything in one visit. Most travel vaccines can be given at the same appointment.
• Ask whether they have stock. Not every clinic carries yellow fever, rabies or JE vaccine — call first.
• Check what's recommended for your destination on the interactive vaccine map before you go, so you know what to ask for.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late to get travel vaccines one week before I fly?

No. Hepatitis A, the typhoid injection, routine boosters and the first doses of several other vaccines are still worth having, and Malarone or doxycycline can start a day or two before you go. The main exception is a required yellow fever certificate, which needs 10 days.

Does a hepatitis A shot work if I get it 3 days before travel?

Your immune system starts responding right away, and CDC still recommends a dose before departure even when time is short. Most people have protective antibody levels within a month. Older or immunocompromised travellers may be offered immune globulin too.

Can I get rabies vaccine in one week?

Yes, if your departure is at least 7 days away. CDC's pre-exposure schedule is two doses, on day 0 and day 7.

What if I can't get the yellow fever vaccine in time?

Move your arrival date to day 10 or later, change a route that's only triggering the requirement through a layover, or — if you have a medical reason you can't be vaccinated — ask about an exemption. Without one of those, you risk being refused boarding or entry.

Which malaria tablets can I start at the last minute?

Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) and doxycycline both start 1–2 days before entering a malaria area. Mefloquine needs at least two weeks.

I'm leaving tomorrow. Is there any point seeing a travel clinic?

Often, yes — for hepatitis A, boosters, malaria tablets and practical advice on food, water, bites and what to do if you get sick. Even one appointment can cut your risk meaningfully.

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Sources: CDC Yellow Book – Hepatitis A · CDC Yellow Book – Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever · CDC Yellow Book – Yellow Fever · CDC Yellow Book – Rabies · CDC Yellow Book – Japanese Encephalitis · CDC Yellow Book – Malaria · NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro – Hepatitis B · CDC – Timing and Spacing of Immunobiologics

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Vaccine choice and timing depend on your health, medications and itinerary — always consult a qualified travel health professional or GP before travel.