Travel Clinic

 Planning for a trip overseas, whether for business or pleasure, is always an exciting endeavour but there’s usually a lot to sort out before you catch your flight… and, depending on your choice of destination, you may need to take steps to protect the health of yourself and your family.

It is always advisable to do some research into the places you intend to visit so you can put the appropriate precautions in place, but if you need any further support or advice, you can always talk to the team here at Newdays Pharmacy.

We will be able to advise you on all the necessary vaccinations and precautions you need before you travel to ensure that you don’t contract any diseases.

What do I need to be vaccinated against?

In terms of vaccinations, what you need to have will depend on where you’re travelling to, as different parts of the world will pose different risks. Common vaccinations that you may need to have are those for diseases such as:

– Hepatitis A & B

– Diphtheria

– Typhoid

– Tetanus

– Yellow fever

– Cholera

– Rabies

Getting the appropriate vaccines is important because it not only reduces the risk of falling seriously ill, but it also reduces the risk of you spreading diseases to those who haven’t been vaccinated, or bringing diseases back to your home country. 

You may even need to have a vaccine certificate before you’re allowed to enter your chosen destination. In Somalia, for example, you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’ve travelled through the airport of another country that has a risk of disease transmission.

As well as having the vaccinations you need for travel, you can also take advantage of our advisory service and gain access to the most up-to-date travel advice you need to ensure you enjoy a safe and happy trip.

It is important to note, however, that you may need to have two doses of certain vaccines prior to travel, so it’s essential that you give yourself enough time to have these administered before you fly. Aim to come and see us here at Newdays Pharmacy at least eight weeks before you plan to leave. Need vaccines beyond standard travel immunisations? Explore our Speciality Vaccines service for MMR, HPV, chickenpox and occupational vaccines.

What Your Travel Health Consultation Covers

Every travel consultation at Newdays Pharmacy is personalised to your destination, itinerary and medical history. Depending on where you’re going, our pharmacist may recommend the following:

Routine and destination-specific vaccinations
Many travel vaccines  such as Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Diphtheria and Tetanus  protect against diseases more common in the regions you’re visiting. Your pharmacist will assess your itinerary, planned activities and length of stay to recommend the vaccines relevant to you.

Certificate-required vaccinations
Some destinations require proof of vaccination before entry. Yellow Fever is the most common example, and a small number of countries also require evidence of vaccination against diseases such as Cholera depending on your travel history. Where a certificate is required, we will issue this as part of your consultation.

Antimalarial medication
If you’re travelling to a region with a malaria risk, your pharmacist can advise on and prescribe the most suitable antimalarial tablets for your trip, along with guidance on when to start and finish your course. See our Antimalarials page for more detail.

Speciality and occupational vaccines
Some travellers, particularly those working, volunteering or staying long-term abroad, may need vaccines beyond the standard travel list, such as MMR, HPV or chickenpox. These are covered under our Speciality Vaccines service.

General travel health advice
Beyond vaccinations, your pharmacist can advise on food and water safety, insect bite prevention, altitude considerations, and what to pack in a travel health kit for your specific destination.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Our travel clinic service is designed to give you confidence before you fly. Here’s what to expect when you visit Newdays Pharmacy:

Your consultation; You’ll have a one-to-one consultation with our pharmacist, who will ask about your destination(s), travel dates, planned activities and any relevant medical history to build a personalised risk assessment.

Vaccination and prescribing; Where appropriate, vaccines can be administered during your first appointment, and any antimalarial prescriptions can be issued at the same visit reducing the need for multiple trips to the pharmacy.

Timing your visit; Some vaccines require two doses spaced several weeks apart, so we recommend booking your consultation at least 6-8 weeks before you travel wherever possible, to allow enough time for full protection to develop.

Documentation; If your destination requires a vaccination certificate, this will be provided as part of your visit so you have the documentation you need before departure.

Before You Travel Alongside vaccinations and antimalarials, our pharmacists can support your trip preparation with:

• Advice on travel health kits and over-the-counter essentials for your destination

• Guidance on managing existing prescriptions and medical conditions while abroad

• Signposting to further destination-specific health information

• Support with occupational or long-stay vaccine requirements via our Speciality Vaccines service

If you’re unsure what you need, get in touch and our team can talk you through it before you book.