What are Travel Vaccines?
Travel can be a fun and enriching experience. However, it can also pose various health risks such as exposure to infectious diseases or illnesses that may not normally be found in your homeland. Therefore, certain protection is necessary while you are travelling.
Travel vaccines, also called travel immunizations, are shots travellers need to get before travelling out of their native land. They are usually recommended even though not required for entry into the country you are visiting. Vaccination is the first step toward staying healthy while you are travelling.
Importance of Travel Vaccines
Travel vaccines are important because they:
- Prevent you from getting and spreading diseases
- Protect you from serious illnesses that are travel-related
- Help you stay safe and healthy during and after travel
- Stop you from bringing any serious diseases home
- Help safeguard public health
Who do You See for Travel Vaccines?
MedicaGP at The Oaks can provide Travel Advice, Vaccines and Malaria prescriptions.
I do not currently offer the Yellow fever vaccine but can counsel you about this.
Please ensure you leave plenty of time before you travel as some vaccines require a course of injections. six to eight weeks is best. If you have less time, please arrange a consultation as it is usually possible to provide some degree of cover for certain illnesses at short notice.
Please inform the Bookings team that you require travel advice and the country/ies to which you are travelling, when you make the appointment (tel 01206 753295) or simply complete the travel health risk assessment form and email to info@medicagp.co.uk, I can then assess what you need and call you to discuss your requirements and confirm you wish to have the recommended vaccinations. Then you can book the appointments need for the injections.
The initial telephone appointment will cost between £40-60 depending on the complexity of your trip and time taken.
I can provide a cost for the vaccines when I speak to you.
You can also obtain travel advice and some vaccines from your NHS GP Surgery Certain Pharmacies who provide Travel health consultations and vaccines.
How Far in Advance do You Need Travel Vaccines?
Vaccines need to be given well ahead of travel time to ensure complete protection against illnesses. Ideally, it is advised to get the travel vaccines you need at least a month before your trip. This ensures the required vaccine series is completed, and your body will have adequate time to build up immunity. Even if you are a last-minute traveller, there may be options for getting the vaccines you need. This can be discussed with your healthcare professional.
Factors Crucial for Travel Vaccines
The type of vaccines recommended depend on several factors like:
- Your medical history
- Your age
- State of your health
- Your travel itinerary
- Mode of travel
- Your destination
- Nature of activity
- Duration of travel
- Season of travel
Travel Vaccines Offered
Your healthcare professional or travel health expert can offer a variety of travel vaccines and may recommend one or a combination of vaccines depending on the immunisation requirement.
Travel vaccines are usually given for illnesses or conditions such as:
- Yellow fever
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Meningitis
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Polio
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Encephalitis (Japanese or tick-borne)
Certain vaccines may not be suitable for some individuals.
In particular, if you have reduced immunity, or have close contact with someone who is immune suppressed, including those having chemotherapy/high doses of steroids. Some vaccines are not recommended.
If you are pregnant or could be pregnant it is also important that your healthcare provider is aware.
To ensure a safe journey, make sure you are up to date on travel vaccines and carry a written record of vaccinations during your travels.