Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio Booster in Portsmouth
Combined Td/IPV booster for travel and routine top-ups. Same-day appointments at Gunwharf Travel Clinic.
Combined Td/IPV booster — the routine travel top-up
Tetanus, diphtheria and polio are a UK routine vaccination given as a five-dose schedule in childhood (2, 3, 4 months, then 3 years 4 months, then 14 years). Most adults completed the full schedule — but the protection isn't lifelong. A booster every 10 years is recommended for travel to certain destinations, after injuries, and when starting healthcare or specific occupational roles.
The combined Td/IPV vaccine (often shortened to 'Revaxis') is the routine adult booster. It's free on the NHS in some circumstances (travel to certain destinations, post-injury, occupational requirement) but private vaccination at Gunwharf Travel Clinic is often faster.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145). Bring whatever vaccination records you have — we'll work out the right schedule for you.
The booster is a single injection. Most adults heading abroad pair it with one or two travel-specific vaccines in the same appointment — Hepatitis A, Typhoid and the Td/IPV booster is the classic combination for South Asia and parts of Africa.
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.
About the Td/IPV booster
The combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine (Td/IPV, brand name Revaxis in the UK) is the standard adult booster for these three diseases. The UK childhood schedule provides five doses by age 14 — if you completed that, you have lifelong tetanus, diphtheria and polio basics, but protection wanes and a booster every 10 years (or before specific travel) is recommended.
When is the booster recommended?
Standard recommendations come from the UK Health Security Agency Green Book: a booster is recommended for adults whose last dose was more than 10 years ago, for travel to areas where tetanus or polio is more common (parts of South Asia, Africa, Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan), after tetanus-prone wounds, and for healthcare or laboratory workers exposed to relevant pathogens.
What the three diseases are
Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria in soil and animal faeces, entering the body through wounds. Causes severe muscle spasms; serious cases can be fatal. Diphtheria is a bacterial respiratory infection that can also cause heart and nerve damage; rare in the UK due to high vaccine coverage but still active in some travel destinations. Polio is a viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis; eradicated in most of the world but still circulating in Pakistan, Afghanistan and a handful of African countries.
How the vaccine works
Td/IPV is a combined vaccine — one injection contains low-dose tetanus toxoid, low-dose diphtheria toxoid, and inactivated polio virus components. It's given as a single dose in the upper arm. Side effects are usually limited to mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two.
Combining with travel vaccines
For travel to South Asia and parts of Africa the classic pre-trip vaccine routine is Hepatitis A + Typhoid + Td/IPV — three injections covering the food-and-water-borne risks and routine booster top-up. We can do all three in a single 30-minute appointment. Hepatitis A protects against viral hepatitis from contaminated food and water; Typhoid protects against typhoid fever from contaminated food and water; Td/IPV refreshes your routine UK schedule.
Required or recommended for travel to
The Td/IPV booster is part of the standard pre-travel bundle for many destinations we see regularly. Some examples where it routinely comes up — either as a general booster or for specific polio top-up requirements:
- Saudi Arabia (Hajj & Umrah) — polio status sometimes checked at entry depending on origin country
- Nigeria — polio surveillance country
- Ghana
- Nepal — wound risk for trekkers
- Cambodia
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
Booking your booster in Portsmouth
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Most appointments take 20 minutes. Bring whatever vaccination records you have — we'll work out the right schedule together. We're at 24 Queen Street, Portsea, walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Single appointment. Often combined with other travel vaccines.
Vaccine history review
Quick check of your previous Td/IPV history — childhood schedule, post-injury boosters, previous travel jabs.
Td/IPV booster injection
Combined vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Single injection in the upper arm.
Ten-year protection
Booster every 10 years is the standard recommendation for adults. Travel destinations sometimes require more frequent boosting.
Travel-health summary
Written record of vaccination for your insurance, employer or border officials.
20-minute appointment
Status review, injection, written record. Easy to combine with other travel vaccines.
Pair with other vaccines
Often combined with Hepatitis A and Typhoid for travel to South Asia and parts of Africa.
Single injection. Same-day starts available.
Three steps from booking to fully boosted.
Bring your records
Paper red book, school records, NHS app, or GP printout. We'll work out the right schedule together.
Td/IPV injection
Single dose given in the upper arm. Takes a couple of minutes.
Written record
Take a written record with you. Useful for future travel clinics, employers, insurers.
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 and walking distance from Portsmouth & Southsea station.
Common Td/IPV booster questions
Who needs a Td/IPV booster?
Adults travelling to destinations where tetanus or polio is more common, anyone who's had a tetanus-prone wound (deep, dirty, or animal-related), healthcare workers, lab workers, and anyone whose last booster was more than 10 years ago.
How long does it last?
The booster provides at least 10 years of protection against tetanus, diphtheria and polio. Some travel destinations may recommend boosting more frequently — we'll check your specific itinerary.
Is it free on the NHS?
Yes, in some circumstances — travel to certain destinations, post-injury, healthcare workers, occupational requirements. Many travellers prefer to book privately for speed: same-day vs. weeks-out GP appointment.
Can I have it with other travel vaccines?
Yes. Td/IPV is commonly given in the same appointment as Hepatitis A and Typhoid for travel to South Asia and Africa — the classic three-jab pre-travel routine. We can do all three in a single 30-minute appointment.
What are the side effects?
Most people experience mild soreness at the injection site, sometimes some redness or swelling, occasional mild flu-like symptoms for a day or two. Serious reactions are very rare.
What if I had a tetanus-prone injury?
For deep, dirty or animal-related wounds where your last booster was more than 5 years ago, a Td/IPV booster is usually recommended. If the wound is recent, contact the local NHS hospital or emergency department for immediate assessment as additional treatment may be needed.
Do children need this?
Children follow the routine UK schedule through their GP — we don't typically vaccinate under-16s for Td/IPV here. Pre-teen and teenage travellers due their next routine booster can sometimes be given the booster privately.
Where can I book in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN — inside Merali Pharmacy. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays. Same-day appointments routinely available.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays and walking distance from Portsmouth & Southsea station.
Pharmaceutical
Council
FEVER
ZONE
Book your Td/IPV booster.
Same-day slots. Easy to combine with Hep A or Typhoid.
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book chapters 30, 15, 26 (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio) (accessed 2026-05-20)
- NHS — Tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine (accessed 2026-05-20)
- TravelHealthPro — Tetanus and polio travel guidance (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). The Td/IPV booster is recommended on a case-by-case basis depending on your previous vaccination history, travel destination and any recent injuries.
