Travel vaccinations
Travel clinic: reviewing your vaccination schedule, recommended vaccines for your destination, malaria prevention and advice on water, food and insect bites.
When to book
Ideally four to six weeks before travelling: some vaccines need several doses or time to take effect. If you have less time than that, it's still worth coming in â there are measures you can take right up to the last day.
What's reviewed at the appointment
- Your adult vaccination schedule: tetanus-diphtheria, MMR, hepatitis and any outstanding boosters. It's the first thing checked, and the one most often forgotten.
- Recommended vaccines based on your destination, the time of year, the length and type of trip: a two-week hotel stay isn't the same as three months backpacking through rural areas.
- Vaccines required by some countries for entry, such as yellow fever, which is only given at officially authorised centres.
- Prevention of malaria where the destination calls for it: anti-mosquito measures and medication where indicated.
- Your personal situation: pregnancy, treatments that lower immunity, chronic conditions, age.
Advice you'll actually use
Safe water and food, preventing traveller's diarrhoea and what to pack in your first-aid kit; protection against insect bites â repellents, clothing, mosquito nets; preventing blood clots on long flights; and what to do if you come back with a fever, which is why it's worth having a number to call.
An honest note
Some travel vaccines, like the one for yellow fever, can only be given at authorised international vaccination centres. At the appointment you'll be told clearly what can be given here and what needs an official centre, with enough time to book ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do I need to come?
Ideally between four and six weeks before travelling, because some vaccines need several doses or time to take effect. If you have less time than that, it is still worth coming: there are measures that can be taken right up to the last day.
Can I get the yellow fever vaccine here?
Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at authorised international vaccination centres. At the appointment you are told clearly what can be given here and what you need to go to an official centre for, with enough time to book.
Are only the vaccines for the destination reviewed?
No. The first thing is your adult vaccination schedule âtetanus, MMR, hepatitis, outstanding boostersâ, which is what is most often forgotten. Then the destination vaccines are assessed, along with malaria prevention where appropriate and advice on water, food and insect bites.
Which vaccines are compulsory for travelling abroad?
Very few are compulsory: the best known is yellow fever, required by several countries in Africa and South America, and the meningococcal vaccine for the pilgrimage to Mecca. The rest are recommended according to destination, season and type of trip. The compulsory one has to be given at an authorised international vaccination centre.