Travel Vaccinations
We are pleased to offer our registered patients a travel health service. Our nurse uses up-to-date information to advise you on your health needs related to destinations around the world. They can administer most vaccinations and provide prescriptions for treatments where needed. Please note, we CANNOT offer non-NHS vaccinations. See below for more information.
Please allow at least 8 weeks prior to travel.
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below:
In order for us to gather the relevant information, please complete the travel assessment form below.
Alternatively if you prefer, you can drop into surgery to collect a form.
Once you have returned your form to the surgery, please book a travel clinic appointment with the nurse, but please leave a week between submitting the form and your appointment so we can process your details. Please ensure your appointment with the nurse is at least 8 weeks before your date of first travel to ensure that there is enough time to have all your vaccinations.
Last Minute Travellers
For 'last minute travellers', we will endeavour to see you before you travel, but cannot guarantee that you will be fully vaccinated before your trip. If you do not get your NHS travel vaccines at least 2 weeks before you travel, we strongly recommend booking into one of the local private Travel Clinics.
Charges: We offer the travel health service free of charge, but unfortunately the NHS does not cover the cost of all the treatments you may need. Please see the list below, for the medications and vaccines which are NOT covered by the NHS and are not available from the Surgery.
Meningitis ACWY Rabies
Japanese Encephalitis Hepatitis B
All anti Malaria Yellow Fever
Please note there is currently a World-wide shortage of vaccines for Hepatitis A and B. We may therefore need to refer you to another provider for these vaccinations.
What we can give through the NHS:
Typhoid Hep. A MMR Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio
Travel Health Questionnaire - To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out and return this form before booking to see the nurse.
Travel Health Questionnaire
Travel information
This is a general advice sheet and should be used in conjunction with the questionnaire above and a consultation with our Health Professionals.
Visiting Family & Friends (especially outside Europe)
People who have moved from another Country to the UK, will rapidly lose their immunity to many of the diseases in their homeland. These people are at higher risk, as they may travel to areas normally visited by tourists and are more likely to eat and drink the local foods without caution, assuming they still have resistance to some disease, such as Malaria. People travelling to visit relatives or friends must also remember that their children will not have immunity to local diseases and may benefit from vaccination.
Travel with children
Children require special consideration before travelling. Protection against sunburn, food, water or insect borne diseases and rabies should all be considered. There is a specific advice sheet on the 'Fit for Travel' website.
Pregnant Travellers
Careful consideration needs to be taken when travelling during pregnancy. Bear in mind that Air travel is restricted at certain times during pregnancy and there is a risk of Thrombosis., so please seek advice before travelling. Malaria is a higher risk for pregnant women and the medications limited, so please consider the medical provisions/services in your chosen destination and always ensure you have adequate medical insurance.
Business Travel
Business travellers may travel for short, yet perhaps frequent trips. It is therefore, wise to check the validity of your vaccinations and whether you require a current Yellow Card. Some destinations will not allow entry unless you have a valid Yellow Card and bear in mind that some diseases, such as Malaria and other insect borne disease are seasonal.
General Advice: Food & Water
Infections caused by contaminated food or water include Diarrhoea,Vomiting, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Cholera. These can have many causes, but primarily due to poor water supply, sanitation, by infection in the handling or storage. So always drink bottled water, use it for cleaning your teeth and avoid taking ice.
When eating, choose food that is piping hot or can be peeled or self prepared. Avoid buffet food that may have been standing at room temperature of re-heated. Be especially cautious of shellfish unless it has been thoroughly cleaned and prepared.
Diarrhoea is usually caused by unfamiliar foods, or infection. It is the bodies way of removing the infection, so it is wise to allow 1-2 days for this to pass. Avoid dehydration by using rehydration solutions available from your Pharmacy. Take care with hygiene as this will stop any infections spreading to others.
Loperamide may be used to stop Diarrhoea, but results in the infection remaining in the body for longer. Always seek medical advice if accompanied by abdominal pain, blood is present, you have a fever or it continues for longer than 2 days. Always seek early advice if a child is affected.
Sun
Long term skin damage can be caused by Sunburn. Always protect skin by covering up and by using good sunscreen creams, more so for children. Apply sunscreens frequently as they are washed off by swimming and natural sweating. Remember also, that cool breezes, cloud or water do not block the Sun's rays and whilst may be refreshing, do not prevent skin burning.
Insects
Insects can give irritating and painful bites, but more importantly in some countries can spread life threatening disease. Vaccines are available for Malaria, Yellow Fever and Japanese Encphalitis, but some insect borne diseases cannot be prevented by vaccination. It is advisable in these case to use a good quality, strong repellent with a minimum 30% DEET content.
Rabies
Many Countries have a high risk of Rabies in their animal and bat populations. Vaccines are available and should be sought within 24 hours of being bitten or scratched.
Blood and Sexually transmitted Diseases
HIV and Hepatitis B and C are transmitted in this way. Some Countries have a higher prevalence than others, but it is always best to avoid such contact. Avoid any form of body art unless you are certain that is safe and consider a Hepatitis B vaccination before travel.
Travelling in Europe
If you are travelling to Europe a very useful booklet has been published with advice and guidance to help you get the most out of your holiday. To visit please click:- http://ec.europa.eu/publications/booklets/eu_glance/86/en.pdf (this is a large document and may take a minute or two to view)
Useful Links
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
www.nathnac.org
www.sunsmart.org.uk
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
www.travelclinic.ltd.uk