Travel Vaccinations

If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel, please contact the GP and book an appointment with the nurse.

We administer the full range of travel vaccinations and advice.

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work. 

If you are travelling at short notice, we can administer an accelerated programme though this is not so satisfactory. When booking your appointment, tell the receptionist you are coming for travel jabs.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

People working abroad, especially aid workers, may require extra immunisations.

If you originally come from the country you are visiting, it is likely your immunity will have worn off so it is important to be vaccinated.

Vaccinations and when to have them

• Diphtheria/Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, and Hepatitis vaccinations are all available free of charge.
• Yellow Fever, Meningitis A&C or ACWY, Hepatitis B, and Rabies vaccinations are chargeable. See fees for private services. Certificates are included.
• The Japanese B Encephalitis vaccine is only available privately from Masta.
• Dip/Tet and Polio may require a booster every 10 years for travellers to certain areas
• Heptatitis A requires a booster vaccine 6-12 months after the first with boosters every 10 years.
• Hepatitis B requires a booster 5 years after the initial course of 3 injections. Typhoid lasts 3 years.
• Yellow fever lasts 10 years

Don’t forget to take malaria tablets

These are not available on the NHS and need to be bought from a pharmacy. Some require a private prescription, and some do not.

Our nurse will tell you which combination you’ll need – there may be seasonal changes. Though vitally important, the tablets do not offer complete protection so also take mosquito protection measures (mosquito netting, repellents, long sleeves, sprays and vapouriser, all of which help to some extent). All children will require protection; reduced-dose vaccines and malaria prevention are available.