If you are planning a trip abroad and live in the South West London area, you can conveniently visit your nearest travel clinic in Bromley to ensure you enjoy a safe trip. Depending on where you are going, you will need to get the necessary vaccinations on time. It is therefore recommended that you book your consultation at least eight weeks before your departure, as some vaccines require more than one dose.
In this guide, we look at what to expect before you travel, the differences between NHS and private travel vaccinations, and general travel health tips for UK travellers to ensure your trip is a memorable one for all the right reasons.
What to Expect Before You Travel
The excitement of planning a trip abroad has many people focused on where they are going and all the wonderful things they want to see and do during their well-deserved break. While this is important, so too is your health.
Whether you are planning a sun lounger stay in the Caribbean, a wildlife trek through Kenya, a high-tech escape to Japan, or a cultural adventure in India, each has its own set of health risks, which is why you need to discuss your trip with a travel vaccine expert.
- Initial consultation and assessment: During your consultation one of our travel health pharmacists will review your travel itinerary with you to address any destination-specific risks you may face. They will also look at your medical history and vaccination records to create a personalised plan.
- Vaccination schedule: Your personalised plan will include a vaccination schedule. It should be noted that certain vaccines, including those for hepatitis B and rabies, necessitate multiple doses administered over several weeks, emphasising the importance of early planning.
- Last-minute travellers: While 6-8 weeks is the ideal timeline to get all your vaccinations in order, it is understandable that last-minute travelling happens. You will be happy to know that our travel clinic in Bromley will be able to assist you with urgent appointments to ensure you stay safe whilst travelling.
- Vaccination types: Our travel clinic specialises in various vaccines needed when UK travellers are going abroad. These include the standard vaccines such as hepatitis A and B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, and meningitis ACWY. For some diseases, like malaria, there is no vaccine available. Instead, you will need to drink malaria tablets, which will ensure you stay protected against this deadly disease while travelling in high-risk areas.
- Travel essentials: Our travel health experts can advise you on what other essentials you may need to help keep you healthy during your travels. These may include mosquito repellents, diarrhoea relief kits, and flight socks.
NHS vs Private Vaccines
Some routine vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus and polio) and travel-specific vaccines (hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera) may be available on the NHS, but demand is often high. More importantly, many travel-specific vaccines, including Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis, hepatitis B, and yellow fever, are not covered by the NHS, meaning that you will need to arrange to have these vaccinations at a private clinic.
The pricing for these vaccines is available on our website and can be discussed in more details at your nearest travel clinic in Bromley.
Health Tips for UK Travellers
During the planning phase of your trip, it is advised that you also do the following:
- Check requirements: As certain diseases are more prevalent in certain countries, it is in your best interest to check for up-to-date information on your destination. Visit the NaTHNaC Travel Health Pro website for the latest information.
- Malaria protection: As mentioned previously, malaria is a severe, potentially fatal disease transmitted through mosquito bites. If you are visiting a high-risk area, ensure that you obtain your anti-malarial tablets well in advance. However, note that several anti-malarial types are available, so it is best to consult your healthcare professional to determine which is most suitable for your specific travel plans.
- Yellow fever certificate: Certain countries require travellers to have a yellow fever certificate before entry. Moreover, the certificate must be issued by an authorised centre at least 10 days before departure. Our travel clinic will be able to assist you with this matter.
- Food and water safety: Traveller’s diarrhoea is, unfortunately, a common occurrence caused by consuming contaminated food or water. You should therefore be cautious of what you eat and drink. UK travellers are advised to drink only bottled water. Also, make sure you wash your hands frequently. Alcohol-based hand gel may be beneficial when handwashing facilities are unavailable, although it is not as effective as handwashing.
Travel Vaccinations in Bromley
If you live in the Bromley area and are wondering “where can I find a travel vaccine clinic near me”, contact our team at Travel Clinic Bromley or simply book a travel consultation online today. We are part of the Day Lewis Pharmacies offering UK travellers tailored destination-specific travel advice and vaccinations to ensure you stay well while away on holiday.
