Travel Advice
PLEASE NOTE THE HEALTH CENTRE PRACTICE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO OFFER NON NHS TRAVEL ADVICE OR VACCINATIONS, WE WILL HOWEVER BE HAPPY TO ADMINISTER THOSE VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE ON THE NHS.
Planning your trip
If you are 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.
Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A.
In the UK, the NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but doesn’t cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.
You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you’re:
- travelling in rural areas
- backpacking
- staying in hostels or camping
- on a long trip rather than a package holiday
If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.
When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?
Ideally advice should be sought at least 8 weeks before you are due to travel.
Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.
And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.
Which travel vaccines do I need?
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you will be visiting on these websites:
Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.
Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Even if an ICVP is not required, it isstill a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.
You can read more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad on the NHS choices website.
(https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/jabs/)
Where do I get my travel vaccines?
First, check your vaccination records to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date. We can provide a summary of your vaccination history if you require it by contacting the practice.
The travel nurse at the Health Centre is able to give NHS travel vaccines:
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Polio (given as combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio)
These vaccines are free on the NHS because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
Private travel vaccinations
Not all vaccinations are available on the NHS, even if they are recommended for travel. These include:
The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.
It is worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.
These additional non NHS vaccinations and any malaria prophylaxis will need to be arranged privately, you can try a:
- private travel vaccination clinic
- pharmacy offering travel healthcare services
If you want a consultation for general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria, it is worth contacting the local travel clinic.
Local travel clinics include:
The Cambridge Travel Clinic, MASTA, Hills Road, Cambridge :
https://www.masta-travel-health.com/ClinicDetails/262