Vaccinations
For current vaccination recommendations and comprehensive travel advice, check the free NHS site Fit for Travel.
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.
- Diphtheria/Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, and Hepatitis vaccinations, Yellow Fever, Meningitis A&C or ACWY, Hepatitis B, and Rabies are all available at travel clinics and some local pharmacies. Please get individual advice on your itinerary. These may be chargeable.
- 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 lifetime.
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, some 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.
Flu Immunisation
Seasonal flu is a highly infectious illness caused by a flu virus.
The virus infects your lungs and upper airways, causing a sudden high temperature and general aches and pains.
You could also lose your appetite, feel nauseous and have a dry cough. Symptoms can last for up to a week.
We offer ‘at risk’ groups the flu vaccine at a certain time each year to protect you against the flu virus.
You may be invited for a flu jab if you are:
- over 50 years of age
- a child between age 2-10 on 31.8.2021
- pregnant
- a carer especially of immunocompromised patients
- live in a long stay residential care home
- a front line health or care worker
or have (at any age):
- a serious heart or chest complaint, including asthma
- serious kidney disease
- diabetes
- lowered immunity due to disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment
- if you have ever had a stroke
- If you have any queries please contact the surgery.
For more information please visit the websites below:
Useful links