Last-minute business travel vaccinations — same-day in London
The standard travel-medicine recommendation is to book vaccinations 4-6 weeks before departure to allow time for course completion. In business travel, that's often a luxury you don't have. Deal accelerates, client emergency, executive surprise trip, partner needs Lagos tomorrow. We're set up for exactly this scenario.
City Of London Clinic provides same-day pharmacist-led travel vaccinations from 36 Goswell Road, five minutes from Bank station. We operate from Barbican Pharmacy & Clinic, a GPhC-registered pharmacy and designated Yellow Fever Centre. Every appointment is led by Asad Repon, a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber.
What's actually possible at short notice
More than you might think. Most travel vaccines are effective from day of administration or shortly after:
- Hepatitis A — single dose, effective protection within days. Booster at 6-12 months extends to 25+ years.
- Typhoid — single dose, effective within 7-14 days. Three years' protection.
- Meningitis ACWY — single dose, effective within 7-10 days.
- Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis) — single dose, effective within 2 weeks.
- Malaria tablets — most can be started 1-2 days before departure (Malarone same day, doxycycline 2 days, Lariam 1-3 weeks).
- Stand-by antibiotics — prescribed for traveller's diarrhoea, taken if symptoms develop.
The Yellow Fever certificate exception
Yellow Fever is the main exception. The ICVP certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. If your trip is within 10 days and your destination requires the certificate (most of sub-Saharan Africa and Amazonian South America), you have three options:
- Get vaccinated now anyway — you'll have personal protection on the day you arrive, but customs may turn you back without a valid certificate.
- Medical exemption letter — we can issue this where clinically appropriate (typically only for people who genuinely can't receive the vaccine). Not accepted by all countries.
- Delay departure — reschedule the trip to allow 10 days from vaccination.
The pharmacist will work through these with you in the appointment. See our Yellow Fever vaccination guide for the full clinical detail.
What about multi-dose vaccines?
For pre-exposure Rabies (3 doses over 21 days) and Hepatitis B (3 doses), we can start the course immediately, but it won't be complete by departure. You'll have partial protection and we'll plan how to complete the course on return.
How to book same-day
- Call 020 7253 9691 as early in the day as possible. 2 hours' minimum notice.
- 30-minute appointment — full pharmacist-led consultation, vaccination, ICVP stamped where applicable.
- Cleared to fly — certificate in hand, prescriptions issued, follow-up booked if needed.
For corporate clients
If your firm has a corporate account with us, billing happens in the background — no expensing required. If you don't have an account, we accept card payment with VAT receipt issued on the day.
To book: call 020 7253 9691 or visit cityoflondonclinic.co.uk/booking.
