Timing
Ideally a few weeks before travel, though it can be given closer to departure if needed.
Typical course
A single combined booster, which typically lasts around 10 years.
Often relevant for
- Indian subcontinent
- parts of Africa and Asia with lower routine vaccination coverage
Most UK adults had this combination as part of childhood immunisation, but protection fades over time, so a travel health check is a good opportunity to confirm whether a booster is due.
Polio in particular has been eliminated from most of the world, but a small number of countries still report cases, and some borders ask for evidence of vaccination for travellers arriving from or transiting those areas.
Tetanus is relevant well beyond travel to specific countries, since it is caused by bacteria in soil and dust anywhere, so this booster is as much about general injury protection as it is about destination risk.
Not sure if you need this one?
A travel health consultation looks at your whole itinerary, not just one vaccine.
See our travel vaccination consultation service →Other vaccines