Advice For Travellers

 

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

 

As you will be aware, GP surgeries are working under increasing pressure and are prioritising the services they can provide. Consequently, Gloucester Road Medical Centre can no longer provide a full travel clinic but is able to provide some vaccinations on the NHS that are recommended for travel purposes, subject to availability.  Information for travellers is available here

image depicting travel vaccinations

 

Important Notice: Suspension of travel service effective 03/10/2024

We are currently unable to meet the increasing demand for travel advice and vaccination. We will be suspending this service provision temporarily and we are unable to accept any new applications at this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused. General Practice sometimes is in a position such as during winter pressures or public health campaigns where urgent or immediately necessary care takes precedent over planned, non-essential care. As a Practice our management of risk would require us to decide which activities can be reduced in order to increase capacity for more urgent matters. Travel services would be one of those that may be considered for this.

We are reviewing our position weekly with the aim to re-open once we have reduced waiting times.

It is important when travelling abroad that you have the appropriate travel advice, vaccination, and anti-malarial medication. Patients who plan to travel abroad are now advised to book an appointment with a private travel clinic.

We would recommend the following private clinics:

 

Notes

Anti-malarial prophylaxis

These drugs need to be started before entering a malaria area, continued during the trip and for a period of time after leaving, so you need plan ahead. We also advise you to take your itinerary and dates with you to work out how many you need to buy.

Proguanil and/or chloroquine can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy.

Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone) Doxycycline and Mefloquine (Lariam) can be obtained from high street travel clinics.

 

Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A – if you have had two vaccinations, you are covered for 25 years (from the 2nd dose)
  • Diphtheria, tetanus & polio – booster required every 10 years (for travel purposes only)
  • Typhoid – booster required every 3 years (for travel purposes only)

Please be aware that it is not good for the immune system to unnecessarily have vaccinations more frequently than recommended. If you are unsure of when you had any previous vaccinations, ask the surgery for a printout of your vaccination history. You should keep a record of this.

The ‘vaccinations sometimes advised’ section usually relates to back-packers, people travelling for more than 4 weeks, or special situations, such as working in health care projects, or with animals. If you are planning such a trip you need to make arrangements to have these at a high street travel clinic.