Your Complete Guide to Travel Vaccinations and Holiday Health at Pharmacy+Health

If you are planning a holiday whether here in the UK or abroad our pharmacists at Pharmacy+Health can help make sure you are well-prepared. Our Travel Health Service offers expert travel health advice, essential vaccinations, medication services and important supplies.

Travelling anywhere can provide lots of exciting opportunities, but can also expose individuals to health risks. As we explore new destinations, our bodies are exposed to new environments, toxins and diseases, so it is vital that we take preventative measures to ensure our health and wellbeing.

Why we recommend our service for anyone travelling abroad

Every year, the NHS estimates that almost one in four British holidaymakers will travel without getting vaccinated properly, meaning that they’re potentially exposed to life-threatening infectious diseases. Travelling without immunisation will also put others at risk, too, as you could bring an infection back to the UK with you.

Our trained healthcare professionals at Pharmacy+Health can help you understand how to reduce the risk of becoming ill while travelling. If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness. They can inform you of which vaccinations and medications you may want to consider taking depending on:

· The countries and regions you’ll be visiting

· Different activities you’ll be doing

· Various types of accommodation you’ll be staying in

· Your age and general health

Travel vaccines guidance and recommendations

You can find out information about the vaccinations and medications necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on websites such as NaTHNac www.travelhealthpro.org.uk and www.gov.uk-travel guidance or you can visit our website pharmacyplushealth.co.uk for more information or to book an appointment.

It is important to remember that guidance is updated regularly and within any country the vaccine and medication recommendations will vary depending on the specific areas you are visiting, the season, your length of stay, the activities you will be doing and the types of accommodation you are staying in. Travellers should check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) country-specific travel advice page (where available) which provides information on travel entry requirements in addition to safety and security advice.

Those planning long distance travel (more than 4 hours) should also consider if they are at increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (venous thromboembolism – VTE). These travellers should consider the use of properly fitted compression socks and can seek advice from our pharmacists. To reduce the risk of VTE, travellers should also regularly mobilise their legs and walk when possible or flex and extend the ankles to encourage blood flow from the lower legs.

Beyond vaccines: Traveller’s diarrhoea, jet lag, period delay, and altitude sickness

Our pharmacists can also provide guidance, support and treatment for jet lag, period delay, altitude sickness and traveller’s diarrhoea. Standards of hygiene have improved in some areas with increasing economies and in improved tourism infrastructure so the incidence rates of travellers’ diarrhoea (TD) and other diseases transmitted by contaminated food and water have reduced as a result. However, TD remains a common illness affecting 20-60 percent of travellers from high-income countries, visiting low-income areas of the world.

There are several risk factors for traveller’s diarrhoea, but destination and choice of eating establishment are the most important determinants of risk. Vulnerable travellers should take particular care to avoid contaminated food and water, and be prepared to manage TD symptoms.

We advise that you book your free travel health consultation appointment at least 2-3 days in advance, as you will receive a pre-consultation questionnaire to fill out before attending your scheduled appointment at your chosen Pharmacy+Health branch. Our trained pharmacists will talk to you about your upcoming trip and offer advice on how to stay healthy and safe during your travels, and will inform you of your options regarding the recommended vaccines and treatments for your travel destination. The pharmacist will then schedule any further appointments needed for you to receive any vaccinations and essential tablets needed for your trip.

It is important to remember that even after having the recommended treatments and vaccinations you should still get into the habit of:

· Following good food and water hygiene

· Practising insect bite prevention techniques

· Using appropriate sun protection

· Carrying a simple first aid kit

· Taking care of your personal safety

For any destinations where malaria is a risk, travellers can also follow an ABCD guide to help prevent malaria:

Awareness of the risk – this depends on the specific location, season of travel, length of stay, activities and type of accommodation.

Bite prevention – travellers should take mosquito bite avoidance measures.

Chemoprophylaxis – travellers should take antimalarials if appropriate for the area. (No antimalarials are 100% effective but taking them in combination with mosquito bite avoidance measures will provide substantial protection against malaria.)

Diagnosis – travellers who develop a fever of 38°C or higher more than one week after being in a malaria risk area, or who develop any symptoms suggestive of malaria within a year of return should seek immediate medical care.

We also recommend making sure that your childhood immunisations are up to date to protect you against diseases like:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

• Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP)

Travellers not sure of their vaccination history can check with their GP.

Planning holidays in advance

It is also very important to plan ahead and book your travel health appointment at one of our pharmacies 6-8 weeks before your departure. Some travel vaccinations may be needed several weeks before departure and some vaccinations require multiple doses, and therefore it’s important to book with us beforehand. If you are short on time before your travels, please reach out, though, as we might still be able to help with getting you the treatment you need when you need it.

Your health should be non-negotiable when going on holiday, which is why it is so important to equip yourself with the knowledge and protection necessary for a seamless travel experience.

Please reach out to your pharmacy branch if you have any questions or book a free face-to-face appointment.

Our healthcare professionals will be happy to support and guide you on your next steps before travelling abroad.