Advice & Forms
Which vaccinations do I need?
You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these two websites:
Where do I get my vaccinations?
You should get advice at least ten weeks before you’re due to travel, as some vaccinations need to be given well in advance. Forms are available on the practice website or you can call in at the surgery for the pre travel form (Travel Risk Assessment). Some vaccinations need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity. Some also involve multiple doses spread over several weeks.
The nurse will review your notes and assess whether your existing UK vaccinations are up to date. The nurse can then advise you about any further travel vaccinations required, travel health and give advice about protecting yourself from malaria. The review of the pre travel forms can take some time, dependent on your travel requirements but the nurse will endeavor to get back to you within one week of submitting the form, dependent on requirements.
Alternatively, or if it is less than 10 weeks before you travel,
you can visit a local private travel vaccination clinic for your UK boosters and other travel vaccinations
Not all vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they’re recommended for travel to a certain area.
Free travel vaccinations
The following travel vaccinations are usually available free on the NHS:
- diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)
- typhoid
- hepatitis A – including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B
- cholera
These vaccines are usually free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.
Private travel vaccinations
You are likely to have to pay for travel vaccinations against:
- hepatitis B when not combined with hepatitis A
- Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis
- meningitis vaccines
- rabies
- tuberculosis (TB)
- yellow fever
Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres. The NaTHNaC website can help you find a clinic offering yellow fever vaccination.
The cost of travel vaccines at private clinics will vary, but could be around £50 for each dose of a vaccine. It’s worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Speak to your nurse before having any vaccinations if:
- you’re pregnant
- you think you might be pregnant
- you’re breastfeeding
In many cases, it’s unlikely a vaccine given while pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby. However, your nurse or doctor will be able to give you further advice about this.
People with immune deficiencies
For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised. This may be the case if:
- you have a condition that affects your body’s immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
- you’re receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy
- you’ve recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant
Your nurse or doctor will be able to give you further advice about this.
For further advice please see NHS website for guidance.
http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/TravelHealth/Pages/Travelhealthhome.aspx
Please complete the form below and return to the surgery. The Nurse will contact you with advice/appointment.
Download our Travel risk assessment form here
