In brief
The short answer
For Egypt and Thailand most travellers are advised to have hepatitis A and be up to date with tetanus. Cape Verde adds typhoid. The Gambia is the one to plan for: hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus, malaria tablets for the whole country, and a yellow fever vaccine from a registered yellow fever centre.
- Egypt and Cape Verde are malaria-free, the Gambia is high risk all year
- Hepatitis A and a tetanus check cover most short winter sun trips
- The Gambia needs malaria tablets and yellow fever advice
- Book in October for half-term and Christmas trips
Egypt
TravelHealthPro advises hepatitis A and an up-to-date tetanus booster for most travellers to Egypt. Typhoid, hepatitis B and rabies are considered for some, depending on how long you stay and what you do. If your tetanus booster is due, the diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster is £38 per dose.
There is no malaria in Egypt. The World Health Organization certified it malaria-free in October 2024, so you do not need tablets for a Red Sea or Nile trip. Food and water hygiene is the bigger day-to-day risk.
Cape Verde
Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus are advised for most travellers, with hepatitis B and rabies for some. Typhoid is £38 per dose.
Cape Verde was certified malaria-free in 2024 and tablets are not advised. TravelHealthPro did report a small cluster of locally acquired cases in the capital, Praia, in 2025, so mosquito bite prevention is still worth packing for.
Since October 2025 TravelHealthPro has also reported rising numbers of salmonella and shigella infections in UK travellers returning from Cape Verde. Careful hand washing and food and water choices matter here, even in all-inclusive resorts.
The Gambia
The Gambia needs the most preparation of the four. Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus are advised for most travellers, and rabies, hepatitis B, cholera and meningitis are considered for some.
Malaria risk is high across the whole country all year, and TravelHealthPro recommends antimalarial tablets for every traveller. We can supply these at your consultation once the pharmacist has checked which option suits you.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travellers aged 9 months and over. We do not offer the yellow fever vaccine, so you will need to book it separately at a registered yellow fever centre, which you can search for on the NaTHNaC website. We are happy to give your other vaccines and malaria tablets.
Thailand
For a beach or city holiday most travellers need hepatitis A and a tetanus check. Typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis are considered for some travellers, particularly for longer trips, backpacking or rural stays.
There is no malaria risk in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya, Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, and elsewhere the risk is low. Bite prevention is advised rather than tablets for most people. Dengue is common in Thailand, and the mosquitoes that spread it bite during the day, so use repellent from morning to night.
Other winter sun favourites at a glance
A quick guide for other popular winter destinations. Your consultation confirms what applies to your trip.
| Destination | Most travellers | Malaria tablets |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | Routine vaccines, tetanus up to date | No |
| Dubai and the UAE | Tetanus up to date | No |
| Jamaica | Hepatitis A, tetanus | No |
| Dominican Republic | Hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus | No, bite prevention |
| Mexico | Hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus | No, bite prevention |
| Sri Lanka | Tetanus, with hepatitis A and typhoid for some | No |
| Kenya safari | Hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus | Yes, and yellow fever advice |
When to book for half-term and Christmas
Most winter sun vaccines are single doses that work within about two weeks, so booking in October covers both October half-term and Christmas getaways. If you need rabies, a hepatitis B course or yellow fever for the Gambia, book as soon as your dates are fixed.
We are open 7 days a week with free parking outside, and the consultation is free.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Most travellers are advised to have hepatitis A and make sure their tetanus is up to date. Typhoid, hepatitis B and rabies are considered for some trips. You do not need malaria tablets.
No. Cape Verde is certified malaria-free and tablets are not advised, but a small number of local cases were reported in Praia in 2025, so use insect repellent.
No, we do not offer yellow fever vaccination. We can give your other travel vaccines and malaria tablets, and point you to a registered yellow fever centre.
Usually not. Being up to date with routine UK vaccines, including tetanus, is enough for most holidays.
Final vaccine and medicine recommendations always depend on your medical history, previous vaccinations, current travel health guidance, trip duration and planned activities. This page is general information, not a personal clinical recommendation — book a consultation so our pharmacist can assess your individual trip.