Pre-travel checklist:
- Check out Fit For Travel or Gov.UK Travel Advice to get general health advice remembering that vaccines and malaria tablets are only part of avoiding serious illness whilst abroad.
- Request travel questionnaire at least 6 weeks before you travel and have any required vaccines at the surgery or private clinic
- Obtain antimalarial prescription privately if needed
- Get anything you may need over the counter, such as sun cream, insect repellent, compression stockings for flying, diarrhoea relief and re-hydration salts
- Obtain travel insurance
- Request any medication, such as contraception, you need to take with you.
- If you are on certain medication such as insulin that you may need to carry in hand luggage, you may need a doctor’s letter in order to take your medication in your hand luggage. Request this at least a month in advance of travel
How can I get my vaccines for travel?
Six weeks before you travel (minimum), please Request travel questionnaire. Complete this with all the details of your trip and information about your medical history.
The nurses will then review this against your immunisation record and will send you a text message to say whether or not you require an appointment. This may take a couple of weeks, so don’t be concerned if you don’t hear anything initially. If you’ve completed your form well in advance, it may be a bit longer until we’re in touch.
What vaccines are available on the NHS?
The following vaccines are available on the NHS and can be given at the surgery:
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
You may require further doses and boosters of these vaccinations, and these can be completed following your trip if necessary.
What vaccines do I need to get privately?
The following vaccines need to be sought from a private travel clinic (see below). These vaccines vary in price so speak to the private travel clinics and compare costs. You can discuss your risk of catching these diseases with the nurse, as your risk will depend on where you’re going exactly and your activities whilst abroad:
- Antimalarial prescriptions
- Cholera
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese encephalitis
- Meningitis ACWY*
- Rabies
- Yellow fever
*This is routinely given at school on the NHS at age 14 years, however, a certificate cannot be provided. You may need to get the vaccine again if you require a certificate. If you’ve not had it at school, you can have it at the surgery up to the age of 25, but again, a certificate cannot be provided.
Where can I get private vaccines?
Most pharmacies now offer vaccines and antimalarials for travel, you can check with your local pharmacy what they offer. Here are some in the local area:
- Laser Pharmacy
- Masters Pharmacy
- Boots
- Superdrug
Useful links
Travel Health Pro – for all information regarding outbreaks, travel risks and vaccine requirements by country.
Fit for travel – information about how to stay healthy and safe abroad.
Travel aware – general advice for overseas travel.
Travel abroad – GOV.UK – travel advice by country.
