New research from Go.Compare Travel has revealed that vaccine requirements remain a deterrent for many British travellers, with 40% saying they would consider cancelling their holiday plans if vaccinations were necessary for entry into a country.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults uncovered a range of reasons why some travellers are reluctant to get vaccinated. Nearly one in five (19%) cited the added cost of vaccines, while 12% said a lack of time was the main obstacle. A further 10% admitted that a fear of needles could discourage them from travelling.

Concerningly for the travel insurance industry, the findings highlight a broader trend of holidaymakers neglecting important pre-travel preparations. Of those surveyed, 10% said they had forgotten to check vaccination requirements for their destination, and the same proportion confessed to not getting their jabs in time.

The research also revealed widespread forgetfulness beyond vaccinations. For example, 14% of respondents had forgotten to check their passport validity before travel, and 11% had forgotten to bring their passport altogether. Even more concerning from an insurance perspective, 15% admitted to forgetting to buy travel insurance before departure.

Rhys Jones, Go.Compare Travel Insurance spokesperson, commented: “Getting the required vaccinations in good time before your trip is essential, so it’s surprising so many travellers are forgetting about this important step.

“The vaccinations you need vary significantly depending on where you’re going, so make sure to do your research – you can use Go.Compare’s Travel Vaccinations Tool to quickly learn more about the required and recommended vaccinations for your destination.

“Thinking about travel insurance well in advance of your trip is also something we would really recommend… it’s well worth taking a look as soon as your holiday is booked.”

In the UK, there is an ongoing global spike in measles cases, with most occurrences being in children under 10. It is believed that the rise is being driven by the stalling, or decline of, routine vaccinations against the disease.