Advice For Travellers

 

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Our Practice Nurses are fully trained to provide advice regarding immunisations for travelling abroad, malaria prophylaxis and general advice about keeping yourself healthy whilst travelling.

Find initial travel advice

image depicting travel vaccinations

 

If you’re planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

The NHS routine immunisation schedule protects you against a number of diseases but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas. 

 

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

  • If possible, contact your GP practice or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you are due to travel.
    • This is because some vaccines need to be given in advance to allow your body to develop immunity e.g., Hepatis A vaccine should be given at least 2 weeks before travelling; typhoid vaccine needs at least 1 month to maximise antibody response (should be administered at least 2-3 weeks prior travelling).
    • Some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.
  • A pre-travel risk assessment should be undertaken prior to administering any vaccines to ensure correct protection is achieved depending on many factors.

Some travel vaccinations can be provided free of charge on the NHS. However, not all travel vaccines are free on the NHS, even if they are recommended for travel to a certain area. The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses required.

The following travel vaccines are free on the NHS:

  • Tetanus (given as combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio)
  • Polio (given as combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio)
  • Typhoid
  • Hepatitis A
  • Cholera

Vaccines not available on the NHS:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • Meningitis vaccines
  • Tick-born encephalitis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Yellow fever
  • Malaria tablets
 

Where do I get my travel vaccines?

After submitting a travel risk assessment form, the receptionist will book you a telephone appointment consultation with one of our practice nurses. The practice nurse will check if your existing vaccinations are up to date.

Please provide the practice with details of any vaccinations administered elsewhere.

During the telephone appointment the practice nurse will give you a general advice about any travel vaccinations and travel health required for your trip. After the telephone appointment you will have an overview of the vaccines required for your trip (NHS vaccines and vaccines not available on NHS).

If you have contacted the practice at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to travelling the practice nurse will book you a face-to-face appointment where they will give you NHS travel vaccines and health advice required for your trip.

To have travel vaccines which are not available on NHS you will be advised to book an appointment at the Private vaccination clinic or a pharmacy offering travel health advice. 

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on these websites:

If the practice is contacted later than 6 to 8 weeks prior to travel and we have no available face-to-face appointments, you may be advised to contact the following clinics:

  • Private travel vaccination clinic
  • A pharmacy offering travel health service