One region, many different risks
Why an individual assessment matters
Recommendations can vary between neighbouring countries and within the same country. Your pharmacist will consider your exact itinerary, length of stay, accommodation, planned activities, age, medical history and previous vaccination record.
Official country-by-country guidance is published on TravelHealthPro and in the GOV.UK foreign travel advice.
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.
Existing country guides
Compare travel-health considerations
These are vaccines commonly considered during an individual travel-health assessment, not a definitive prescription.
| Country | Vaccines commonly discussed | Other key considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Hepatitis A&B Combined, DTP, Typhoid | Food and water hygiene, particularly outside resort areas |
| United Arab Emirates | Hepatitis A&B Combined, DTP | Extreme summer heat, particularly June to September |
| Saudi Arabia — Hajj & Umrah | Meningitis ACWY, DTP, Influenza | Physical demands of walking long distances in crowds and heat |
| Egypt | Hepatitis A&B Combined, Typhoid, DTP | Food and water hygiene, particularly on Nile cruises |
Recommendations depend on your exact itinerary, length of stay, accommodation, planned activities, age, medical history and previous vaccination record.
Route-specific assessment
Malaria and mosquito-borne illness
Malaria risk is not uniform across the Middle East. Whether antimalarial medicine is considered depends on the countries, regions, season and style of travel in your itinerary.
Bite precautions remain important because mosquitoes can transmit illnesses for which tablets or vaccines may not be available.
Read our malaria prevention guidePractical protection
Food, water, mosquitoes and animal bites
- Take care with food and drinking water where hygiene standards are uncertain.
- Use an appropriate insect repellent and follow local bite-prevention advice.
- Avoid contact with animals and seek urgent medical advice after a bite or scratch.
- Arrange suitable travel insurance and carry regular medicines correctly.
Allow time where possible
When to arrange an appointment
Travellers should ideally seek travel-health advice around four to six weeks before departure, as some vaccinations require more than one dose.
If your departure is sooner, contact the clinic anyway. Useful vaccination, advice or accelerated options may sometimes remain available, although accelerated schedules are not suitable or available for every vaccine.
Common questions
Middle East travel health FAQs
Meningitis ACWY vaccination is mandatory for Hajj and Umrah visas. A certificate is required, and the vaccine must be given at least 10 days before travel.
No. Recommendations depend on the countries and regions you visit, your accommodation, activities, length of stay, medical history and previous vaccination record.
Ideally seek advice around four to six weeks before departure because some vaccinations require more than one dose. If you are travelling sooner, it is still worth contacting the clinic because useful vaccination or advice may remain possible.