Travel Vaccinations

Taking steps to remain healthy whilst you are on holiday can be quite complex, especially if you are travelling to tropical areas in parts of the world where formal healthcare is difficult to access.

Thankfully, there are very helpful and accurate websites which can give you the most up-to-date information about how to remain healthy on holiday; what immunisations you require and which medication you may need to have with you.

If you require travel vaccinations it is important to start having these at least 6 weeks before travel, as many do not offer you adequate protection if given too close to the date of your trip.

We suggest you think about:

• Travel insurance and taking your EHIC/GHIC card with you (if you are travelling to a European country)
• Sun protection
• Insect bite repellents
• Travel immunisations
• Anti-malarial tablets

In addition, please remember if you are taking regular medication because of other health needs, to take an adequate supply of tablets with you and a list of your medication should you run out.

International law permits you to travel with medication without a doctor’s note unless this medication is a Class A type formulation. (Morphine, tramadol, opiate patches, and amphetamine-type medication). Our reception staff can help you with a letter if you need it.

Getting NHS Vaccinations from the Surgery

To find out what travel immunisations and malaria tablets you need please visit the Travel Health Pro Website. This provides the same information which NHS professionals use to decide which vaccinations you need. You will need to have a copy of your previous immunisations, as many travel vaccinations are identical to the one you receive as a child and young adult through the NHS immunisation program. Please ask reception for this. The website tells you which immunisations are free on NHS and which are private and will need to be given at a specialist travel clinic.

Please note, if you have had 5 tetanus injections in your life (many of us have), it is rarely necessary to have a booster.

Once you have worked out the immunisations you need, please book to see our practice nurses, and bring your information with you.

These are the vaccinations that are available on the NHS and their booster requirements

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio (combined vaccination)

• Is effective 1-2 weeks after the 3^rd dose
• If a traveller has had five doses in a lifetime then they are assumed protected for life. If the vaccination history is uncertain and it is more than 10 years since the last dose a booster is recommended. For some countries it is advisable to have a booster if it is more than ten years since the last dose regardless of how many vaccinations you have received.

Typhoid injection

• Is effective 1-2 weeks after injection
• Injectable typhoid vaccination lasts for 3 years then a booster is required

Hepatitis A

• Effective after 2 weeks but the average incubation period for Hepatitis A is 28 days so it is useful to have this even at short notice
• After the first dose a booster should be given 6-12months later. However it can be safely delayed for up to five years. From the second dose protection will last at least 25 years.

Cholera

There’s a vaccine for cholera, but most people do not need it.

It’s usually only recommended if either:

• You’re travelling to an area where cholera is common and you’ll be visiting remote places without access to medical care
• You’re an aid or disaster relief worker going to an area where a cholera outbreak is likely

The vaccine is given as a drink. For adults, 2 doses (given 1 to 6 weeks apart) can provide protection for up to 2 years. You need to have had both doses at least a week before travelling.

(Please note that there are sometimes problems with supplies to surgeries and so you may have to arrange for some of these vaccinations to be done at a travel clinic, this is a national problem)

Non NHS Vaccines

If you require other vaccinations not available on the NHS  (Rabies, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal ACWY, Tick borne encephalitis, yellow fever) you will be required to attend a travel clinic and pay a private fee.

It is useful to have your immunisation history handy, you can view these via NHS app. It usually doesn’t require any info from your GP unless they are unable to confirm your details. Click here: NHS App and your NHS account – NHS

Malaria tablets

The easiest and quickest way to obtain anti-malaria medication is to do this on line through a pharmacy or medical website. We recommend you using www.drfox.co.uk

A good atlas or online atlas e.g. www.maps.google.co.uk

Recommended websites for travellers

• Travel vaccination advice – NHS
• National Travel Health Network and Centre www.nathnac.org
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• Dr Fox  https://www.doctorfox.co.uk/

If you’d like to download a word version of this advice click on the link below

Travel Vaccination Advice