Are you planning to travel outside the UK? Take the necessary precaution like taking travel vaccinations to stay healthy while you are travelling a foreign land. International travel increases the odds of you getting and spreading diseases (rare in the UK).
Even if you think you are fit and fine, you still carry a great risk of catching a foreign virus while you are abroad. It can be in the form of water, food, or insects that you catch a virus and develop an infection.
Getting infected with a rare disease while travelling is the last thing you would want. So how do you make sure you stay healthy during the trip?
Travel vaccinations are the only logical way to protect you against the serious diseases found in other parts of the world. So, go through this blog to stay updated with them well ahead of time.
Why Do You Need Travel Vaccinations?
The childhood vaccination programme in the UK offers protection against some diseases. However, that does not cover all of the infectious diseases found worldwide.
Depending on the destination, duration of your stay, your general health and the places you will be visiting, your GP will recommend you vaccinations suitable for you. Say, you are going to enter a part of the world you have not visited before, you must take a preventative measure in the form of travel vaccinations.
When Should You Book an Appointment?
While you may not consider vaccinations while planning your trip, it is important you pay heed to it sooner than later. The NHS recommends you visit a private travel vaccination clinic in London at least 8 weeks before travelling.
A few vaccines need to be given in advance to ensure your body is immune to it. Also, some vaccines use a number of doses administered over several weeks. You may want to consider taking vaccinations, if you are:
- Backpacking
- Travelling in rural areas
- On a long trip
- Staying in camping or hostels
Remember that if you already have a health problem, this puts you more at risk of getting infected whilst travelling. So, it is always best practice to consult your GP before you plan a trip aboard.
Which Vaccinations Do You Need?
This depends on the destination you are travelling to. There are various websites you may find online where you can find out authentic information about recommended vaccinations depending on the areas you are visiting.
A quick visit to a walk-in clinic in London is the best way to find out any health risks you might not have considered yet. It is good idea to get some vaccination advice before you fly off to a destination.
Let your healthcare provider know where you are travelling to. Make sure you mention specific details. They will then let you know exactly which vaccines are appropriate for you.
Where Do You Get Travel Vaccinations?
The first step you want to take is to visit your GP to find out whether your existing UK vaccines are up-to-date. Let him know if you have records of vaccinations (if any).
Ask your GP if he or she is signed up to provide free NHS travel vaccinations. If not, you can try visiting a:
- Private clinic that offers travel vaccines services
- Pharmacy in your locality
If your GP can give you vaccines for travel but they are not available on the NHS, make sure you ask for the below things ahead of time:
- The cost of each dose
- Written information about what vaccines you need
- Any other charges like certifications of vaccines
Which Vaccinations Are Free?
Refer to the following list of travel vaccinations that are free on the NHS. You can get them free of charge as these diseases pose a great threat to public health.
- Polio
- Hepatitis A
- Cholera
- Typhoid
Vaccinations You May Have to Pay for
Following is the list of vaccinations for travel you will have to pay for:
- Meningitis
- Japanese encephalitis
- Yellow fever
- Tuberculosis
- Rabies
- Hepatitis B
- Trick-borne encephalitis
The cost of travel vaccinations may vary depending on the vaccination and number of doses you need.
Is There Anything Else You Should Know?
Before you plan further, consider a few more things about travel vaccinations:
- Your age and overall health as you might be more likely to catch an infection than others
- Maybe you are an aid worker and come into with rare diseases regularly
- You are at a greater risk of catching a rabies virus infection if your work needs you to come in contact with animals
- You work in a medical setting
Countries in northern and central Europe do not need you take any vaccinations for travelling. However, make sure you keep up-to-date with routine vaccinations.
Are You Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
You may not be able to take certain vaccinations if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is also true if you think you are about to conceive. Be sure to consult the same with your local GP and have yourself checked before taking any travel vaccination.
Get advice from your doctor about whether you are eligible to take certain vaccinations for travel.
What about Immune-Deficient Patients?
You are not recommended to take certain vaccinations if:
- You are under chemotherapy
- You have had a bone marrow or organ transplant lately
- You have HIV or AIDS
The best advice you can get from a GP. So, before you proceed to taking any vaccination, consult a GP and know your options.
Non-Travel Vaccinations
While travel vaccines are important, you should also ensure you are up-to-date with other UK vaccines and boosters if necessary.
People with certain risk groups may need additional vaccinations. These include but not limited to:
- Chickenpox
- Tuberculosis
- Flu
- Hepatitis B
- Malaria tablets
- Tetanus
- Yellow fever
Staying Safe Whilst Travelling
While you are travelling abroad, it is always best to protect yourself from infections and rare diseases. With that said, you may want to take some necessary precautions while visiting a country where infectious diseases are commonplace.
Apart from taking travel vaccinations, maintaining hygiene while visiting a foreign place ensures you and your near one’s health & wellbeing.