Commonly recommended vaccines
These are general recommendations. Your pharmacist will advise based on your specific itinerary and medical history.
For full guidance including malaria risk areas and health alerts, visit TravelHealthPro.
Health risks in China
China is a vast country attracting business travellers, cultural explorers, and those visiting family. Travel health requirements vary considerably by itinerary. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended for most visitors due to food and water risks. If you're spending time in rural areas — particularly near rice fields or pig farms — or staying for a month or more, Japanese Encephalitis vaccination should be discussed. Short-stay city visitors to Beijing, Shanghai, or Chengdu face a lower overall risk. Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Gillingham, Kent offers same-day travel health consultations seven days a week until 10pm. Japanese Encephalitis vaccine from £95 per dose, no GP referral needed.
- Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water — risk is present across China, particularly when eating local street food
- Typhoid is present throughout China; food and water hygiene is essential for all travellers
- Japanese Encephalitis is transmitted by mosquitoes in rural areas — highest risk May to October in areas outside Qinghai and Xinjiang; low risk for short city-only stays
- Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks occur periodically; avoid live animal markets, poultry farms, and contact with birds
- Air quality in major Chinese cities can be poor — travellers with respiratory conditions should take appropriate precautions
Our pharmacists at Medway Pharmacy, 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ provide personalised travel health advice for China and all destinations. We serve Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Kent area. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am–10pm — same-day appointments available, no GP referral needed.
Frequently asked questions about travel to China
Where can I get travel vaccinations for China in Kent?
Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic at 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ offers China travel vaccinations including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Japanese Encephalitis. Same-day appointments available with no GP referral required. Open every day from 7:30am to 10pm.
How much do travel vaccinations for China cost?
At Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic, Hepatitis A costs £55 and Typhoid costs £55. Japanese Encephalitis vaccine is from £95 per dose — a two-dose primary course is required. We're open until 10pm every day so booking around work is straightforward.
Do I need Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for China?
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccination is recommended for travellers staying a month or more in rural China, particularly near rice fields or pig farms. It is also advised for those with significant outdoor or night-time exposure, and for travellers with uncertain itineraries that may include rural zones. Short-stay visitors to major cities like Beijing or Shanghai generally have a low risk. Our pharmacist will review your specific itinerary at Medway Pharmacy, Gillingham.
Do I need Japanese Encephalitis vaccine for a short trip to Beijing or Shanghai?
The risk of Japanese Encephalitis for short-stay city visitors is considered low. JE vaccination is primarily for rural stays of a month or more, peak season outdoor exposure (May–October), or uncertain itineraries that may include rural areas. If your trip is limited to major urban centres, your pharmacist will focus on Hepatitis A and Typhoid as standard recommendations.
How quickly can I get vaccinated before my trip to China?
Ideally 4–6 weeks before travel to complete the two-dose Japanese Encephalitis course, with the second dose at least a week before potential exposure. An accelerated JE schedule is available for adults aged 18–65. For Hepatitis A and Typhoid, Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic offers same-day appointments open until 10pm, seven days a week in Gillingham.
Is there a malaria risk in China?
Malaria risk in China is very low for most travellers. Standard tourist itineraries, business travel, and visits to major cities carry no meaningful malaria risk. Some risk exists in limited remote border areas in Yunnan. Our pharmacist can advise based on your specific destinations.
Ready to get protected?
Book a travel health appointment at Medway Pharmacy. Same-day slots available, open until 10pm.
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