Why Are Travel Vaccinations Important? Book Now
Are you planning a business trip, taking a gap year, going on a school trip, a family holiday or a religious pilgrimage? Depending on your destination, and the purpose of your visit, you may need travel vaccinations. Some subtropical or tropical destinations, in particular, even require proof that you’ve been vaccinated so it’s best to talk to travel experts before jetting off and Chippenham Pharmacy’s Travel Clinic can help.
Why Do I Need Travel Vaccinations?
If you are travelling to a foreign country, it’s important to make sure you’re up-to-date on your travel vaccinations. Many places are home to various diseases you may not have protection against, including typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever and tuberculosis among others.
When visiting a more exotic country, you may be exposed to pathogens that could harm your body. This is known as “immunity” which stems from the term “immunisations”. Some pathogens can lead to serious diseases and infections such as Hepatitis A or Typhoid which are often severe and can even be even fatal in some cases.
Getting the right travel vaccines is vital as some countries will deny you entry without a valid vaccination certificate. For example, Kenya requires all tourists to have a yellow fever vaccination while Saudia Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis when visiting the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Which Travel Vaccinations Do I Need?
The type of travel vaccine will depend on several factors while certain activities may place you at higher risk of contracting certain diseases. In particular, consider the following:
- The country, or countries, you are visiting or the region of a certain country
- When you are travelling (some diseases are more common at certain times of the year)
- Where you are staying as rural areas present a higher chance of infection than urban areas
- If you are backpacking and staying in hostels, or camping, you may be at a higher risk
- The duration of your visit as the longer your stay, the greater your risk of exposure
- Your age and health as some people may be more vulnerable than others
- Your activities will also determine what travel vaccines you may need, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors travelling or working in rural areas
Travel Vaccines For Aid Workers And Medical Professionals
If you are an aid worker in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster you may come into contact with more diseases. The same applies to anyone working in a medical setting, including doctors, nurses and support staff who may require additional travel vaccinations. People who work with animals could also be more at risk of diseases like rabies which means getting your travel vaccine could be the difference between life and death.
Different Types Of Travel Vaccines
There are many types of travel vaccines available for travellers and we’ve listed the most common below.
- Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) vaccinations are given as a combined injection and should be given every 10 years
- Hepatitis A – this vaccine is usually given as a course of two injections, with the second injection given six to 12 months after the first
- Hepatitis B – this vaccine is usually given as a course of three injections, with the second and third injections given four to six weeks and four to six months after the first
- Typhoid – this vaccine is usually given as a single injection and should be administered every three years
- Yellow fever – this is usually a single-dose vaccine that must be given at least 10 days before travel
For more information, visit the NHS website or contact the Travel Clinic at Chippenham Pharmacy.
Where Can I Get Travel Vaccinations?
There are several places in the UK where you can get travel vaccinations. This includes private or NHS GP practices, clinics and pharmacies. Wherever you go, make sure that you’re getting your travel vaccines from a reputable source, as some vaccines can be dangerous if not administered correctly.
At health clinics, like Chippenham Pharmacy, the healthcare staff can advise you on which vaccines while some can also administer the shot at the same time. While you can book your travel vaccines at Chippenham Pharmacy & Health Clinic, yellow fever vaccinations are only available from designated centres.
When Should I Get My Travel Vaccinations?
To allow your body to build immunity, some vaccines must be given several weeks or months in advance while some travel vaccines require numerous doses over many weeks or months. At Chippenham Pharmacy, we recommend that you get vaccinated at least 8 weeks before your travel but if time is limited, book a consultation and we will discuss all your options and what is best for you.
Keep in mind that people with pre-existing health conditions may have a significantly higher risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness. If you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a GP before booking a travel vaccine although it’s highly unlikely that a vaccine will cause any issues for the baby.
Travel Vaccinations At Chippenham Pharmacy
If you are looking for travel vaccinations in Chippenham, we have travel clinic experts who can administer all types of travel vaccinations and prescribe antimalarial medication. Our travel clinic in Chippenham also offers you detailed health information and travel advice before embarking on your journey.
We are here to help you fully understand the potential risks when travelling to a specific country or region and that includes malaria prevention among other valuable travel clinic services. If you are travelling this year, don’t delay and book your travel vaccinations at Chippenham Pharmacy today!