Find out what you might need when you travel to keep yourself safe with our free consultation.
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During your travel consultation our Pharmacist will discuss your travel itinerary and associated health risks. You will be provided with enough information for you to decide how your risks can be mitigated. If vaccinations are required they can be administered during your appointment. The cost of booking this consultation can go toward the cost of your vaccines. If however no vaccines are required, then this will be the cost of the consultation (£20 per person)
Travel Consultation Appointment
Please come to the appointment with any records you have of previous vaccinations.
During your travel consultation our pharmacist will carry out a travel risk assessment about your trip; this a discussion about the health risks of your travel destination and how you can be protected. The cost of this service is deducted from the cost of any vaccine that you have from us.
Transmission is from the saliva of infected mammals to humans via broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth or nose) mostly from a from bite, scratch or lick. In rabies endemic regions, all wild and domestic mammals can be infected with the virus.
Rabies is almost 100% fatal once symptoms develop.
Pre exposure prophylaxis avoids the need for Human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) which can be difficult to obtain and expensive.
A primary course consists of three does administered on days 0,7 and 28.
If time is limited an accelerated schedule can be followed with one dose administered on days 0,3 and 7. With this schedule however, for longer term protection, a 4th dose will be required after 12 months of the first dose.
What we offer
We now offer rabies pre-exposure vaccination for travellers using the intradermal (into the skin) route, administered with the VAX-ID® device. This is an alternative to the standard intramuscular (into the muscle) injection and uses a much smaller dose of vaccine.
See a demo of the Vax-ID device in this YouTube video
This service is suitable for people travelling to countries where rabies is present in animals and who want to protect themselves before travel.
Who is this for? This vaccination is recommended if you are:
Travelling to Asia, Africa, Central or South America, or other rabies-endemic regions
Going on an extended trip, backpacking, or travelling to remote areas
Working with animals, handling wildlife, or involved in veterinary or conservation work abroad
Planning activities such as cycling, running, or camping where contact with animals is more likely
Travelling with young children, who may not report an animal contact
About the intradermal route
Intradermal vaccination delivers the vaccine just beneath the surface of the skin using a very small volume — 0.1 mL per injection. This method has been used for rabies vaccination for decades and is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Please note: The intradermal route is not covered by the vaccine manufacturer’s product licence in the UK. It is an off-licence use, administered on the clinician’s own responsibility in accordance with UK guidance (UKHSA Green Book, Chapter 27, May 2023). This is a recognised and accepted practice in travel medicine.The VAX-ID® device
We use the VAX-ID® — a CE-marked medical device developed specifically for intradermal vaccine delivery. It ensures accurate, consistent placement of the vaccine into the correct skin layer, and is designed to be more comfortable than traditional intradermal techniques.
The device uses a very short, fine needle and is held flat against the skin at 90°, removing the need for the angled Mantoux technique used in older methods.
Vaccination schedule
The course consists of three injections on the following days:
Day 0: First appointment
Day 7: One week later
Day 28: Four weeks later (or Day 21 if travel is imminent)
Please allow enough time before travel. Ideally, your first appointment should be at least 4 weeks before departure. If time is short, the third dose can be given from Day 21. Please contact us to discuss your travel dates.
What does this vaccination mean if you are bitten abroad?
Completing the full course of pre-exposure vaccination means your immune system is primed against rabies. If you are bitten, scratched, or licked on broken skin by an animal during your travels:
You will still need to seek medical advice immediately after any potential exposure
You will require only 2 follow-up injections (on Days 0 and 3) rather than 5
You will not need rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) — a blood-derived product that is often unavailable in remote or resource-limited settings
This significantly simplifies treatment abroad and may be life-saving in areas where full PEP resources are not readily available.
During your travel consultation, our can provide advice on prevention of High altitude sickness and discuss options for those who are attempting very high altitude travel.
Malaria is a tropical disease transmitted by bites of the female anopheles mosquitos; a night time biting insect found in tropical regions. While this tablet is not a 100% Malaria prevention, indeed nothing is. It offers a two pronged attack on the malaria parasite, as each of the two components disrupts different pathways required for the parasite to replicate.
This tablet is the a well tolerated anti malaria tablet recommended for prevention, should you plan to visit a for Malaria endemic area. It can be prescribed for adults and children from a minimum weight of 11kg. If travel unavoidable it can be prescribed to infants from 5kg.
Malaria is a tropical disease transmitted by bites of the female anopheles mosquitos; a night time biting insect found in tropical regions. While this tablet is not a 100% Malaria prevention, indeed nothing is. It offers a two pronged attack on the malaria parasite, as each of the two components disrupts different pathways required for the parasite to replicate.
This tablet is the a well tolerated anti malaria tablet recommended for prevention, should you plan to visit a for Malaria endemic area. It can be prescribed for adults and children from a minimum weight of 11kg. If travel unavoidable it can be prescribed to infants from 5kg.
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which bite mainly during daytime hours. It causes a flu-like illness and can cause severe joint and muscles pains which usually improve in 1–2 weeks but may persist for months or years. It is rarely fatal.
Prevention
Travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours.
Chikungunya Vaccination
Vaccination may be considered for individuals aged 12 years of age and over who are:
travelling to regions with a current chikungunya outbreak
long-term or frequent travellers to regions with an increased risk of chikungunya
exposed to the chikungunya virus through their work, such as laboratory —staff working with the virus
Cholera is an infection that can cause severe diarrhoea. There is a risk of contracting this illness when travelling abroad, particularly parts in Africa and Asia without a modern sewage system or a clean water supply. Taking this vaccine will help to protect you from contracting it.
This combined vaccination helps to protect you from Diptheria, Tetanus and Polio. Tetanus is caused by bacteria spores entering an open wound and releasing a toxin which affects the nerves.
This combined vaccine is recommended when protection from Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B is required.
The full course consists of three doses administered at Month 0,1 and 6 although if there is insufficient time the accelerated schedule of day 0, 7 and 21 can be followed with an additional dose administered after 12 months of the first dose.
Twinrix Paediatric is a vaccine used in infants, children and adolescents from 1 year up to and including 15 years to prevent two diseases: hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against these diseases.
Hepatitis B is caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV), and is spread by contact with body fluids, such as blood, saliva, semen, or vaginal fluids; by needle sticks or sharing needles; or from mother to child.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B combination vaccine is recommended for all persons 18 years of age or older who are at risk from infection from their jobs or some behaviors, or from traveling to the following parts of the world:
Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which mainly feed during daytime hours. It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening illness. Severe dengue is rare in travellers.
The mosquitoes that spread dengue are more common in towns, cities and surrounding areas.
Vaccination can be considered for individuals aged 4 years of age and older who have had dengue infection in the past and who are:
Travelling to areas where there is a risk of dengue infection or areas with an ongoing outbreak of dengue, or
are exposed to dengue virus through their work, such as laboratory staff working with the virus
Doxycycline is an antibiotic, It’s used to treat infections such as chest infections, skin infections, rosacea, dental infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as a lot of other rare infections. It can also be used to prevent malaria if you’re travelling abroad.
For most infections, you’ll start to feel better in a few days but it is important to finish the course of medicine.
The most common side effects of doxycycline are headaches, feeling or being sick. It can also make your skin sensitive to the sun.
Doxycycline can affect growing teeth so it’s not prescribed for children under 12 years old or given to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Do not drink alcohol while taking doxycycline. There are also some common medicines you should not mix with it.
Doxycycline can also be called by the brand name Vibramycin-D.
The risk of contracting hepatitis A is very low, however it is highly recommended to this who are high risk to it. This includes individuals: who plan to travel to areas where hepatitis A is widespread, with long term liver disease, sexually active homosexual males and anyone who may be exposed to it at their work.
The vaccine gives protection against the hepatitis B virus, which is a major cause of serious liver disease, including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. It is extremely important that all infants are vaccinated for this, however children and adults who are at high risk to the virus will also be offered the vaccine. Those who are high risk inject drugs, have a tendency to change sexual partners and those who receive numerous blood transfusions.
The vaccine gives protection against the hepatitis B virus, which is a major cause of serious liver disease, including scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer. It is extremely important that all infants are vaccinated for this, however children and adults who are at high risk to the virus will also be offered the vaccine. Those who are high risk inject drugs, have a tendency to change sexual partners and those who receive numerous blood transfusions.
The Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine is now back in stock.
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
The risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis can be reduced by being vaccinated and taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites. This vaccine is recommended to those who are visiting high-risk areas for a long period of time. Also those who plan to visit high risk areas and participating in activities such as camping and cycling in rural areas.
The MenACWY vaccine helps to prevent meningitis and septicaemia (A rare but life-threatening disease caused by meningococcal bacteria).
It is highly recommended to Young adults, especially individuals who attend university.
The MMR vaccine is the best protection you can receive from these 3 serious illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). All of these illnesses are extremely infectious and can be spread rapidly amongst unvaccinated people. Contracting these illnesses can lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.
This should be considered when you’re visiting a country where the infection is common and you’re planning to do outdoor activities when you get there. TBE is a viral infection which is spread through bites from infected ticks. Most infections will not suffer any symptoms, however, in severe cases permanent neurological damage including behavioural/mood changes and reduced concentration will occur. About 1 in 100 patients will die from TBE. The vaccine is not available under the NHS.
This should be considered when you’re visiting a country where the infection is common and you’re planning to do outdoor activities when you get there. TBE is a viral infection which is spread through bites from infected ticks. Most infections will not suffer any symptoms, however, in severe cases permanent neurological damage including behavioural/mood changes and reduced concentration will occur. About 1 in 100 patients will die from TBE. The vaccine is not available under the NHS.
Typhoid fever can be spread through contaminated food and water whilst visiting affected areas, most commonly in the Indian subcontinent, Africa south, south-east Asia and South America. If left untreated, 1 in 5 people will die. When used in conjunction with food hygiene methods, such as hand washing and avoiding uncooked foods (particularly seafoods), a vaccine will significantly reduce your risk of contracting this illness.
Typhoid fever can be spread through contaminated food and water whilst visiting affected areas, most commonly in the Indian subcontinent, Africa south, south-east Asia and South America. If left untreated, 1 in 5 people will die. When used in conjunction with food hygiene methods, such as hand washing and avoiding uncooked foods (particularly seafoods), a vaccine will significantly reduce your risk of contracting this illness.
If your Yellow fever certificate is lost we may be able to provide you with a replacement if we can get the details of the vaccine that your were given.
If you are unable to have the yellow fever vaccine due to a medical condition, our Prescribing Pharmacist can issue you an exemption certificate after a risk assessment.
Transmission is through the bite of infected mosquitoes mostly Aedes Egypti mosquito, the same vector that transmits Dengue, Zika and Chukungunya viruses.
Hence mosquito bite avoidance is vital in Yellow fever endemic regions.
Yellow fever is currently the only vaccine for which there is an Internationally recognised certificate which may be required as a condition for entry.
The Yellow fever vaccine provides lifetime protection after one dose.
As a designated Yellow fever centre, we can provide this vaccination and certificate.