The travel vaccination service ensures you have up-to-date immunizations and malaria prevention advice for your journey. Some vaccines are free, while others may require payment. It’s important to plan ahead, as immunizations are best given 4 weeks before travel. Malaria tablets, depending on the type, should be started 2-16 days before entering risk areas. Insect bite prevention and safe water practices are crucial. If you become ill while traveling, seek local medical help immediately. The practice nurse will guide you on malaria prevention and appropriate medication.
Complete the Travel Vaccination form by clicking above for each person travelling and then speak to reception to book an appointment with the Pactice Nurse. Alternatively download a paper copy of the form here.
- Some important points to remember:
- Some travel vaccinations and all Malaria tablets are not covered by the NHS.
- Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio (combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab) and, if required, Cholera are free for NHS patients.
- For other travel vaccinations there is a charge (see below) which is payable at the time of vaccination. You can choose not to have recommended vaccinations or not to take anti-malarial tablets, but you must understand you are responsible for any increased risk.
- You need to start planning your medical arrangements for travel as soon as possible. Immunisations are usually given 4 weeks prior to travel and anti-malarial tablets (depending on which medication) started 2-16 days before entering malaria-risk areas. If you ask for immunisations less than 4 weeks prior to travel we may be unable to arrangethis at short notice and the vaccines are likely to be less effective.
- Most illnesses which people get on holiday are not prevented by immunisations. Drinking safe water, avoiding over exposure to the sun and insect bites are all important. NaTHNaC-https://travelhealthpro.org.uk is a useful website for travel, vaccination and malaria information if you have internet access.
- Make sure you have your European Health Insurance Card if travelling in Europe, and adequate medical insurance wherever you go. If you have any significant medical problems make sure your insurers know before you travel. If you need a ‘fit to travel’ certificate, or any kind of claim or cancellation form completed, you will need to see a GP and there will be a charge.
- Make sure you have an adequate supply of any regular medication you take. If you are going away for more than 3 months you will need to get further medication from a doctor in the area where you are travelling, as we are not allowed to prescribe more than 3 months medication.
- Flights or journeys by road longer than 4 hours may increase your risk of developing a blood clot in your legs (known as a DVT or Deep Venous Thrombosis). This is especially true if you are pregnant, on the pill or HRT, have cancer or have had recent surgery or have had DVTs or Pulmonary Embolism in the past. To reduce the risk drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol, and get up and stretch your legs. Consider getting support (‘compression’) stockings over-the-counter from a chemist or on line. If you have had a previous blood clot and are not taking Warfarin please discuss this with your GP.
- If you become ill whilst you are away, especially with a fever, do not delay in seekig medical help locally. The local doctors will be far more expert at treating local health problems than we are and delay in treating some illnesses, especially Malaria and DVT, can be fatal.
Anti-Malaria Tablets
These, along with insect bite avoidance, are vitally important in Malaria-risk areas. There are three different types; which one is recommended depends on where you are going. If you are a child, or pregnant or breast-feeding, this may affect the drug recommended. The start time for anti-malarials varies from two weeks to two days before travelling depending on the medication.
It is important you finish the full course of tablets. If you lose them or they are stolen get replacements. Insecticide-treated anti-mosquito nets may be useful.
- Mefloquine (‘Lariam’) These are very good but in some cases, especially those with a history of depression or psychological problems, they can cause major side-effects.
- Malarone A drug started only 2 days before entering the risk area.
- Doxycycline A safe drug for those over 12 years old.
The Practice Nurse will discuss Malaria with you and advise you on which course of tablets are recommended for your itinerary.
Anti-Malarial costs
| Mefloquine | 1 tablet | £3.27 |
| Doxycycline | 1 tablet | £0.37 |
| Generic Malarone | 1 tablet | £4.77 |
| Generic Malarone Paediatric | 1 tablet | 0.04 |
| Branded Malarone | 1 tablet | £3.78 |
| Branded Malarone Paediatric | 1 tablet | £0.94 |
Cost of standard 2 week holiday – eg a 7 week course of treatment required for Proguanil OR and 8 week course of Lariam
| Mefloquine (Lariam) | 8 tablets | £26.15 |
| Doxycycline | 44 tablets | £9.35 |
| Generic Malarone Paediatric | 23 tablet | 21.60 |
| Branded Malarone | 23 tablet | £86.97 |
Vaccines
Most vaccines (Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitois A) for travellers are prescribed free by the NHS but some are only available privately. Cost to patient of giving course:
| Meningitis | £ 60.00 single dose |
| Rabies | £ 80.00 single dose £220.00 course of 3 injections |
| Japanese encephalitis | £230.00 course of 2 injections |
| Yellow Fever | £ 75.00 single dose |
| Tick Borne Encephalitis | £ 180.00 course of 3 injections |
| Tick Borne Encephalitis Junior | £ 160.00 course of 3 injections |
| Meningitis B | £135.00 |
| Engerix (Hepatitis B) | 10mcg dose children £20 single dose booster |
| Engerix (Hepatitis B) | 20mcg dose adult £100 course of 3 injections £35 booster |