Travel Advice and Vaccinations
July 2020
Currently, we only offer vaccinations that are free on NHS and we ask for at least 6 weeks' notice so we have time to review the form, order vaccines, and arrange an appointment. We do no offer covid-19 antibody testing for travel reasons.
If you require Covid-19 antibody test for travel reason, you need to attend Private Travel Clinic to request it.
Travel Vaccinations
Please note you will be required to pay for Malaria tablets and some of the travel vaccinations. Please check with your pharmacy as many pharmacies can now provide you and your family with a choice of malaria tablets as well as travel vaccinations without needing to see a nurse/GP.
Please see Lambeth CCG statement on these changes:
However, you are still able to see Dawn for advice and vaccinations
If you are traveling abroad you are likely to need vaccinations against diseases that are not prevalent in the UK. Our Practice nurse will give you advice on health issues in the country and area you are going to and will advise you on which vaccinations you require.
You can then come in for your vaccinations during any of Dawn's surgery hours.
Please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse Travel Questionnaire
What do you need to do
Please complete a travel form at least 6 weeks before departure.
The nurse will then check the information you have given against the current Department of Health advice and will check your medical records for your vaccination history.
She will then ring you to plan any required immunisations or malaria prophylaxsis.
If you need vaccinations she will book you an appointment.
Please be aware that some of the vaccinations require more than one dose and some do not become effective until a number of weeks after the injection. Please ensure you contact the nurse with enough time before your trip to ensure the vaccinations you require are effective.
See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/ and https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries check which vaccines you might need.
We apologise to any patients requiring the Hepatitis B vaccine for their travels. Global supplies are very limited and the shortage may last until early 2018. To ensure that stock is available for those individuals at the highest and most immediate risk of exposure to hepatitis B, Public Health England has developed temporary recommendations to support clinicians undertaking an individual risk assessment.
Public Health England and the Department of Health have been working with both vaccine manufacturers to institute ordering restrictions according to customer type. It has been agreed with the BMA’s General Practice Committee that general practice will not be able to order any adult hepatitis B vaccine stock until further notice.
Thank you for your understanding, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the links below
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Travelling in Europe
If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.
Travel Advice
Please see Dawn for travel advice and vaccinations. You may also need to see the doctor to optimize your health before travelling. Certain medications like insulin will have to be refrigerated whilst travelling.
Call 112 to contact the emergency services in any EU country
For those travelling to a developing country:
- The most common cause of death and injury is by road traffic accidents (RTAs).
- 50% will develop a health problem during their trip.
- Up to 40% of short-term travellers to developing countries and up to 70% of long-term travellers will experience at least one bout of diarrhoea.
- 8% will need to see a doctor.
- 5% will be sufficiently ill to have to stay in bed.
- 1-4% of travel-related deaths are due to infectious disease.
- 3% will require hospital admission (either abroad or on return).
- 001% will die
Source:
http://patient.info/doctor/diagnosing-the-tropical-traveller
Diarrhoea
Most cases of diarrhoea are mild, lasting 3-5 days and do not require treatment other then drinking plenty of fluids. Travellers with severe or bloody diarrhea or those with severe pain, high fevers or particularly unwell should seek medical attention.
For more information and on prevention please see:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/travellers-diarrhoea.aspx
Accident prevention
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that travellers are more likely to be killed through injury then infection. It is crucial to have health insurance to cover for accidents, emergency medical treatment and repatriation (medically assisted transfer back home).
Advice on accident prevention can be found on:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/accident-prevention.aspx
Malaria
A tropical disease spread by mosquitoes in certain parts of the world. If untreated can cause death. According to the WHO 95 countries and almost half the worlds population are at risk.
In 2010 over 60% of cases in the UK were in people who had travelled to their country of origin. Many people think they are immune to malaria because they were born in these regions however immunity is quickly lost.
Malaria is easily preventable and Dawn will give advice on medication and bite prevention.
Please note you will need to pay for malaria tablets as they are no longer available on NHS. We will also charge £10 for issuing private prescription for Malaria tablets.
For more advice see:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/malaria.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/travelhealth/Pages/malaria-nearly-killed-me.aspx
Safe sex
Studies have shown that a large proportion of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur as a result of sex whilst travelling from home. Sexual intercourse is 3 times as likely to result in a STI. To reduce the risk condoms should be used.
To avoid buying fake or damaged condoms whilst abroad, consider taking condoms with you.
For more advice see:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/sexual-health-risks.aspx
Sun protection
Sunburn even once every 2 years can triple the chance of a skin cancer called melanoma. Through sunburn avoidance 8 out of 10 UK cases of melanoma could be prevented.
Sunburn can be prevented by avoiding the sun between 11am to 3pm, using adequate amounts of a high sun factor sunscreen and wearing adequately covered clothing like long sleeve tops
For more advice see:
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/sun-exposure.aspx
Deep vein thrombosis
Journeys of 4 hours of more are thought to increase the chance of DVT. Some patients are more at risk then others such as pregnant women or those women on certain contraceptive pills. To prevent a DVT get up from your seat to walk around regularly.
For more advice see:
http://patient.info/health/preventing-dvt-when-you-travel
Travel Insurance
Medical emergencies abroad can be costly to the traveller. For example a tummy bug in an American hospital can cost £100,000. Some European countries may be covered by the European Health Insurance Card.
For more advice see:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance
The Exchange Surgery
Travel Vaccine Prices please see Vaccines fees