Hepatitis A+B Travel Vaccine: Guide for St Albans Travellers

Travelling abroad can expose you to infections that are uncommon in the UK. Hepatitis A and B are viruses that affect the liver and can be prevented with vaccination, including a combined Hepatitis A+B vaccine for many travellers.

What are Hepatitis A and B and where is the risk?

Hepatitis A is usually spread by contaminated food or water and is more common in countries with lower sanitation standards. Hepatitis B is a blood-borne and sexually transmitted infection that is more common in parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central/South America.

Both viruses can cause jaundice, tiredness and abdominal discomfort, and the impact can be greater in people with underlying liver disease. NHS-aligned advice recommends vaccination for travellers whose itinerary or activities increase exposure risk.

Symptoms checklist

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine or pale stools
• Prolonged fatigue and loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Fever or joint aches

Who should consider the combined Hepatitis A+B vaccine?

The combined vaccine suits people who need protection against both viruses. Consider vaccination if you are:

• Travelling to areas with higher Hepatitis A or B prevalence, including much of Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central/South America.
• Staying for a long period, working or volunteering abroad, or planning to have medical or dental treatment while away.
• At higher personal risk due to sexual activity with new partners, injecting drug use, or close contact with local populations where hepatitis B is more common.
• Living with chronic liver disease, where hepatitis infection could have more serious consequences.

Vaccination schedule, doses and timing before travel

The standard schedule for the combined Hepatitis A+B vaccine (commonly given as a preparation such as Twinrix) is a three-dose course at 0, 1 and 6 months. This provides long-term protection when the full course is completed.

A typical accelerated option for travellers needing quicker protection is doses at 0, 7 and 21–30 days, followed by a booster at 12 months. The accelerated schedule offers earlier short-term protection but still requires the later booster for long-term immunity.

After the first dose, many people develop early protection against Hepatitis A within a few weeks, but reliable long-term protection against Hepatitis B usually requires completing the course. Ideally, start vaccination at least 6 weeks before travel to allow time for the routine schedule. If you have limited time, discuss accelerated options at your travel consultation.

Common side effects are mild and include soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, headache and feeling generally unwell for a day or two.

How Highfield Pharmacy's Travel Clinic in St Albans delivers the vaccine

At the Highfield Pharmacy Travel Clinic, our pharmacists provide an NHS-aligned, personalised travel health assessment before any vaccine is given. We review your travel itinerary, medical history, medications and previous vaccinations to recommend the most appropriate schedule.

Vaccinations are administered by trained pharmacy vaccinators in a private consultation room. We complete consent and allergy checks, give clear aftercare advice, and record the vaccine on a written record to help you keep track of follow-up doses.

If you need an accelerated schedule or reminders for later doses, we can arrange follow-up appointments and send reminders to help you complete the course. All vaccines are stored and handled according to recommended cold-chain standards.

How to book a travel consultation at Highfield Pharmacy

Booking a travel consultation is simple. You can:

• Call Highfield Pharmacy to arrange an appointment with our travel pharmacist.
• Book online through the pharmacy website's travel clinic page.
• Visit the pharmacy in person to speak to a pharmacist and arrange a consultation.

Please bring your passport, travel dates and itinerary, and any existing vaccination records to your appointment. Allow around 20–30 minutes for the initial travel consultation so we can give tailored recommendations and, where appropriate, administer the first vaccine dose.

Q: How long before travel should I get the first dose?

A: Aim to start vaccination at least 6 weeks before travel if possible. If you have less time, accelerated schedules are available — discuss this at your consultation.

Q: Will one dose protect me?

A: One dose can give early protection against Hepatitis A, but reliable long-term protection, especially for Hepatitis B, needs completion of the recommended course.

Q: Is the combined vaccine safe?

A: The combined Hepatitis A+B vaccine is well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as injection-site soreness or a low-grade fever.

If you are travelling from St Albans and want evidence-based, compassionate advice on Hepatitis A+B vaccination, visit the Highfield Pharmacy Travel Clinic. Book a travel consultation today, speak to our pharmacist, or pop into the pharmacy to arrange an appointment and protect your trip.