Israel Travel Health and Vaccinations
Hep A, optional Typhoid, routine boosters, and current FCDO situation check.
Pre-travel vaccines for Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and pilgrimage travel
Israel sees substantial UK travel — leisure (Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, Eilat), religious pilgrimage (Jerusalem and the holy sites), family visits, and business travel. The travel-health profile is generally moderate: no mandatory vaccines, modest infectious-disease considerations, and the bigger conversation is often about practical safety given the current security situation.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run Israel pre-travel appointments year-round. Most are 30 minutes covering vaccines, food and water guidance, and the current FCDO travel-advice situation.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For most Israel trips you'll consider: Hepatitis A (recommended for almost all travellers), Typhoid if you're going outside the mainstream tourist circuit or staying longer, an up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, and Hepatitis B for longer stays or healthcare exposure.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
Israel is a moderate-vaccine destination
No mandatory vaccinations. The recommended bundle is short. The bigger conversation for many travellers is now about the current security situation — we cover that alongside the medical advice.
Hepatitis A — the headline vaccine
Hepatitis A is recommended for almost all Israel travellers. Transmission through contaminated food and water is well-documented, and even high-end restaurants and resort hotels can have isolated outbreaks. Single injection, long-term protection.
Typhoid — depends on your trip
Typhoid is worth considering for travellers going outside the mainstream tourist circuit, eating street food, staying with families, or extended visits. Combined Hep A and Typhoid is available as a single injection if you want both in one go.
Routine boosters
Up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster is sensible — just good housekeeping for international travel. Hepatitis B for longer stays or healthcare exposure.
Pilgrimage travel — the specific considerations
Holy Land pilgrimage groups have distinctive travel-health patterns. Long walks in summer heat — Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives, Galilee — means heat illness and foot blisters are statistically the most common problems. Group hygiene matters (gastro outbreaks in coach tours are well-documented — a single ill member can spread quickly). We cover hand hygiene, food safety, hydration, sun exposure, and appropriate footwear. The vaccines are usually quick; the practical pilgrimage advice is what makes the difference.
The Dead Sea, Eilat, and Negev desert
The southern desert regions get extreme summer heat — temperatures regularly exceed 40°C. The Dead Sea has its own specific considerations: the high salt content can cause severe eye and skin irritation if you splash it, and the surrounding rocks can be sharp. We cover practical guidance.
Current security situation
The FCDO travel advice for Israel has been updated frequently in light of regional events. We check the current advice at your appointment and discuss what it means for your specific itinerary. This is a frank, practical conversation — not avoiding difficult topics, just giving you the current picture so you can make informed decisions.
Booking your Israel appointment
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Hep A vaccination, optional Typhoid, routine boosters, pilgrimage advice.
Pre-Israel review
Trip purpose, length, regions visited, and current FCDO travel-advice considerations.
Hep A vaccination
Recommended for almost all Israel travellers. Single injection, long-term protection.
Routine booster check
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster updated if it's been more than 10 years.
Pilgrimage-specific advice
For Holy Land pilgrimage travel, we cover heat in Jerusalem and the Negev, foot care, and group-travel hygiene.
30-minute appointment
Vaccines and travel-health summary in one visit.
Written travel summary
Personalised summary covering vaccines, food and water guidance, heat, and current FCDO situation as of your appointment.
30-minute appointment for Israel pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to Israel-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us if it's leisure, pilgrimage or family travel.
Pre-Israel visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Hep A and any other relevant vaccines given the same visit.
Travel-health summary
Walk out with a written summary covering vaccines, food and water guidance, heat illness, and current FCDO travel-advice situation.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
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On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common Israel travel vaccine questions
Do I need vaccines for Israel?
No mandatory vaccines. Recommended: Hepatitis A for almost all travellers, Typhoid if going outside mainstream tourist circuit or longer stays, and a Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster check.
Is the tap water safe in Israel?
Tap water is generally safe in major cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Bottled water is preferred in some rural and West Bank areas, and during heat warnings when water quality can be affected.
What about pilgrimage travel?
Standard Hep A vaccination is the priority. The bigger practical issues for pilgrims tend to be heat illness, foot care for long walks, and group hygiene to prevent gastro outbreaks on coach tours. We cover all this at your appointment.
What about the current security situation?
FCDO travel advice for Israel changes in response to regional events. We check current guidance at each appointment and discuss what it means for your specific itinerary. Have a frank conversation — not avoidance, just current facts.
Is there any malaria or Yellow Fever?
No to both. Malaria isn't a risk in Israel. Yellow Fever is required only if you've transited a YF risk country within 6 days.
What about the Dead Sea?
Safe to float — don't splash. The high salt content causes severe eye and skin irritation if it gets in your eyes or open cuts. Wear water shoes for the sharp rocks. Don't shave the day before.
How early should I book?
2 weeks before travel is enough for Hep A. Other vaccines work effectively from 2 weeks pre-departure.
Where do I get my Israel vaccines in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. Same-day appointments most weeks. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
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Book your pre-travel vaccinations.
Same-day appointments. Combined Hep A + Typhoid available.
- TravelHealthPro — Israel travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — Israel (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Hep A and Typhoid chapters (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). FCDO advice can change — we check current TravelHealthPro and FCDO guidance at each appointment.
