Philippines Travel Health and Vaccinations
Hep A, Typhoid, dengue prevention, malaria assessment for southern islands.
Pre-travel vaccines for Manila, Boracay, Palawan, Cebu and island travel
The Philippines is a growing UK travel destination — Boracay and Palawan beaches, Cebu and El Nido island-hopping, Manila and the historic sites, and increasingly diving and adventure travel. The travel-health profile is involved: dengue is widespread, malaria is regionally focal, typhoon and storm risk seasonally, and a Japanese Encephalitis consideration for rural travellers.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run Philippines pre-travel appointments year-round. A typical appointment is 30 minutes.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For Philippines you'll typically consider: Hepatitis A and Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays, Rabies for rural travel, Japanese Encephalitis for extended rural rice-growing area stays, and malaria for specific southern islands and rural Palawan. Dengue prevention features prominently.
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.
The Philippines has more mosquito-borne disease than most island destinations
Dengue is widespread and year-round. Malaria is regionally focal. Japanese Encephalitis is rural. We cover all three plus the standard vaccine bundle.
Dengue — the headline mosquito risk
Dengue is widespread across the Philippines, year-round but with seasonal peaks during wet season (June–November). Cases occur in cities including Manila and in resort areas. No suitable UK-available vaccine for previously-uninfected travellers (Qdenga is licensed but typically only for prior-infection settings). Prevention is bite-avoidance: DEET-based repellent on exposed skin, long sleeves and trousers when practical, particularly around dawn and dusk (and during the day — the dengue mosquito is a daytime biter, different from malaria mosquitoes). We cover this in detail.
Malaria — specific southern islands
The Philippines has malaria risk in rural areas of Palawan, Sulu archipelago, Mindanao and Mindoro. Manila, Cebu, Boracay and the main tourist islands of Luzon and Visayas are essentially malaria-free. We map your itinerary. If you're at risk we typically recommend Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) — prescribed and dispensed at your appointment.
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, routine boosters
Food and water exposure across the Philippines including in resort areas. Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended for almost all travellers. Up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster. Hepatitis B for longer stays.
Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies
Japanese Encephalitis transmission in rural rice-growing areas, particularly Luzon. Vaccination worth considering for travellers spending extended time in rural areas during transmission season. Rabies pre-exposure worth considering for rural and island travellers given delayed medical access in remote areas.
Typhoon and storm season
Typhoon season runs roughly June through November with peaks in August–October. Beyond direct storm risk, typhoons disrupt travel, sometimes for several days. They also affect water supply, food storage and disease transmission patterns (flooding amplifies leptospirosis and dengue risk). We cover practical considerations for travelling during typhoon season.
Diving safety
The Philippines is one of the world's top diving destinations. Standard dive safety rules: 24-hour gap before flying after dives, appropriate certifications, dive insurance with chamber cover (the nearest hyperbaric chambers are limited and remote). We discuss this at your appointment if you're diving.
Booking your Philippines 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 + Typhoid, dengue advice, malaria for southern travel.
Itinerary review
Beach resort, island-hopping, Manila, rural — different vaccine and malaria considerations.
Hep A + Typhoid
Standard Southeast Asia bundle. Combined visit, single appointment.
Routine booster check
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster updated if more than 10 years.
Dengue prevention
Dengue is widespread, year-round. No suitable vaccine for short-stay travellers. We cover bite prevention in detail.
Malaria for southern islands
Specific risk in rural Palawan, Sulu archipelago and Mindanao. Tablets prescribed and dispensed if needed.
Travel summary
Personalised summary covering vaccines, dengue, malaria, food and water, and typhoon-season precautions.
30-minute appointment for Philippines pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to Philippines-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us where you're going — which islands and how long.
Pre-Philippines visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Vaccines given. Malaria tablets if needed. Dengue prevention covered.
Travel summary
Walk out with personalised written summary covering vaccines, malaria, dengue, food and water, and typhoon-season precautions.
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..."
"I find the staff polite..."
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 Philippines travel vaccine questions
Do I need vaccines for the Philippines?
Hepatitis A and Typhoid for almost all travellers. Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster check. Hepatitis B for longer stays. Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis depend on rural exposure.
Is there a malaria risk?
Manila, Cebu, Boracay and most main tourist islands are essentially malaria-free. Risk is in rural Palawan, Sulu, Mindanao and Mindoro. We assess based on your itinerary and prescribe tablets if needed.
What about dengue?
Widespread year-round, peaks in wet season June–November. No suitable UK vaccine for previously-uninfected travellers. Prevention is bite-avoidance: DEET, long clothing, daytime exposure care.
Is it safe to dive in the Philippines?
Yes — it's one of the world's top diving destinations. Standard dive safety applies: 24-hour gap before flying, dive insurance with chamber coverage, appropriate certifications. Hyperbaric chambers are limited and can be remote.
What about typhoons?
Typhoon season is June–November, peaking August–October. Beyond direct storm risk, typhoons can disrupt travel for days. They also amplify flooding-related disease risks. Worth factoring into your timing.
Is the tap water safe?
No — use bottled or filtered water throughout. Hot cooked food is generally safer than salads.
Can children travel safely?
Yes. Vaccines licensed: Hep A from age 1, Typhoid from age 2. Dengue prevention applies equally to children — long clothing and DEET-suitable formulations for younger ages.
Where do I get my Philippines 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
Council
FEVER
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Book your pre-travel vaccinations.
Same-day appointments. Dengue and malaria advice tailored to your route.
- TravelHealthPro — Philippines travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — Philippines (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Hep A and Japanese Encephalitis 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). Risk profiles change — we check current TravelHealthPro guidance at each appointment.
