Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio Vaccination (DTP Vaccine)

Stay protected during your travels with our Travel Vaccination Consultation. Our expert medical team will guide you on essential vaccinations, helping prevent diseases uncommon in the UK. Learn how to minimise the risk of exposure and ensure a safe and healthy journey.

The polio, diphtheria, and tetanus vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against these three serious illnesses. Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis, while diphtheria and tetanus are bacterial infections that can lead to respiratory problems and muscle stiffness. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against these illnesses, which helps to protect against them.

If you are travelling to a risk area for polio or diphtheria, you should get your polio, diphtheria, and tetanus booster two weeks before travel. However, whether you require this booster depends on the date of your last vaccination.

If your last polio and diphtheria vaccination was more than 10 years ago or you didn’t complete your previous vaccination course, you’ll need to receive additional protection before travelling.

For individuals travelling to regions with limited access to medical facilities, the tetanus vaccine is highly recommended. Regions of Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East are known to have high incidences of polio and diphtheria.