Whilst the summer holiday season is coming to an end, there are still millions of people travelling abroad, all of whom have different reasons for stepping onto the plane, different schedules and thus different healthcare needs when they step into their local travel clinic.
Many of the most vital immunisations are covered by the routine immunisation schedule or as part of the recommended list of travel vaccines, which protect against the most common travel infections when travelling to certain countries.
However, some people will have rather more unique needs than the typical traveller, either due to the specific region they are travelling to, the particular reason why they are going or if they have particular health needs due to age or a weakened immune system.
These types of journeys may require additional protection using speciality vaccines if they increase the risk of exposure to certain diseases.
With that in mind, here is a brief guide to speciality vaccinations, when they are needed and how to book an appointment.
What Are Specialty Vaccine?
Whilst all vaccines are designed to build up the body’s immune system to protect against particular infectious diseases, they are often categorised depending on when and who needs to be immunised.
There are routine vaccines, which are intended for everyone who can take them and are typically provided at an early age to prevent the risk of a wide range of dangerous childhood diseases.
Routine vaccines are provided because they can be a danger not only to an individual but can also risk spreading a disease and causing a more widespread outbreak.
As well as this, there are additional travel vaccines which are required or at least strongly recommended when travelling to certain countries or particular regions within said countries.
These help not only to keep you safe on holiday but also stop you from bringing diseases that could spread more widely if they are brought back to the UK.
A third set of vaccines consists of those that are offered by private travel clinics for very specific types of travellers who are at a greater risk of contracting certain diseases that most travellers to the same countries would not be.
Alternatively, some speciality vaccines are provided for domestic uses for people at a greater risk of certain diseases that they may not necessarily be protected against.
Who Needs A Specialty Vaccine?
There are several groups of travellers who may need speciality vaccine, and seeking advice from a travel clinic is the best way to know whether a more comprehensive set of inoculations is necessary.
The most common reason for specialty vaccine to be necessary for travellers is if they are healthcare or aid workers travelling to regions where there has been a particular outbreak, or comprehensive rapid medical assistance is not necessarily guaranteed.
In rural areas and particularly places affected by natural disasters, diseases that are typically more controlled can become more widespread due to infected water supplies and the difficulty in maintaining hygienic conditions in the midst of a disaster and its indirect secondary effects.
Similarly, if you work in a medical setting, you will inherently be in close contact with a wider range of diseases than the general population, and immunisation is one of several methods of protection you will need to use to avoid spreading disease.
If you are travelling to a region where there are more wild animals that are infected with animal-borne diseases, speciality vaccines become more necessary to minimise the risk of infection.
Alternatively, some speciality vaccines are either alternatives or additions to the traditional vaccination schedule.
This can be for either travel or domestic purposes and is typically for either immunocompromised people or people with an incomplete vaccination history.
For example, chickenpox is a condition common in children, where the most common way to provide lifelong immunity is by catching it and recovering from the illness.
However, if you never caught it as a child, a vaccine may be recommended for adults who might be in close proximity to someone with chickenpox or shingles, as the symptoms of the former are far more serious if you have not had it before.
How Do You Get Speciality Vaccines?
There are rare cases where some types of speciality vaccines are available through a GP if you are more vulnerable to the disease or are at risk of spreading it to someone more vulnerable, but the most common method is through a travel clinic.
They will discuss your medical history, travel plans and other requirements, and will schedule appointments well ahead of time to ensure that the vaccine is active when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
A specialty travel vaccine is a vaccine that is not routinely recommended for all travellers but may be advised for specific destinations, activities, occupations, or higher-risk travel itineraries. Examples include Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Cholera, and Yellow Fever vaccines.
The need for a specialty vaccine depends on factors such as your destination, trip duration, planned activities, accommodation type, and underlying health conditions. A travel health consultation allows a pharmacist to assess your individual risk and recommend appropriate protection.
Yes. Most specialist travel clinics and pharmacy travel health services provide access to specialty vaccines. Some vaccines require advance ordering or multiple doses, so it is advisable to book your travel consultation several weeks before departure.