Travel clinic in Tyldesley: what to expect and how early to book

Planning a trip from Tyldesley? Whether you’re flying from Tyldesey or via Manchester or elsewhere, a visit to a travel clinic is one of the most useful things you can do before you go. A travel health consultation checks which vaccines, malaria protection and other precautions are right for your trip, and gives you time to get them done before you leave.

This guide explains what a travel clinic does, what happens at your appointment, how early to book, and what to bring.

What does a travel clinic do?

A travel clinic gives personalised advice to keep you healthy abroad. It looks at where you’re going, what you’ll be doing and your own health, and then recommends what you need. Typically, this includes:

• Travel vaccines, such as hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, meningitis ACWY and yellow fever, depending on your destination

   

• Malaria risk assessment and advice on antimalarial tablets, where needed

   

• Advice on avoiding bites, food and water safety, travellers’ diarrhoea, sun, heat and altitude

   

• Checking your routine vaccines, such as MMR, tetanus, diphtheria and polio

   

• Vaccination certificates, where a country requires proof of vaccination

   

• Advice on carrying medicines, and on any special needs, such as pregnancy, long-term conditions or travelling with children

   

At Your Chemist, you can speak to a pharmacist about your trip and plan what you need in one place.

How early should you book?

The short answer is as soon as you’ve booked your trip, and ideally six to eight weeks before you travel.

This matters for several reasons:

• Some vaccines need more than one dose. Courses for rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis are given over several weeks, though quicker schedules exist for some

   

• Vaccines need time to work. Many take around two weeks to give protection

   

• Yellow fever certificates only become valid 10 days after vaccination

   

• Malaria tablets must be started before you travel, sometimes one to two weeks beforehand depending on the medicine

   

• Some vaccines must be spaced apart. Live vaccines, such as yellow fever and MMR, should either be given on the same day or at least four weeks apart

   

• Appointments and vaccine supplies can be limited at busy times, such as before school holidays, Easter, summer and Christmas

What if you’re travelling soon?

Don’t skip the appointment because you’re short of time. Even a week or two before you leave, you can still receive advice and some protection, and a pharmacist can tell you what is still worth doing and what to prioritise. Book as soon as possible and explain when you’re travelling.

What happens at your appointment?

A travel health appointment normally takes around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how complicated your trip is.

1. A conversation about your trip

The pharmacist will ask about:

• Where you’re going, including every country, region and stopover
• When you’re travelling, and how long you’ll stay
• What you’ll be doing, such as beach holidays, city breaks, trekking, volunteering or visiting friends and relatives
• Where you’ll stay, and the food and water you’re likely to have
• Whether you’re travelling with children, or are pregnant or breastfeeding

2. A review of your health and vaccination history

You’ll be asked about your:

• Medical conditions and regular medicines
• Allergies, including to eggs, latex and any previous reactions to vaccines
• Vaccination history, including childhood vaccines and any previous travel vaccines
• Any recent illnesses or a weakened immune system, since some vaccines aren’t suitable

3. Your personalised plan

The pharmacist will explain which vaccines and precautions are recommended, which are essential and which are optional, what they cost, and how many doses you’ll need. You can ask questions and decide what you want to do. They will also tell you what’s available on the NHS and what isn’t.

4. Vaccinations

If you’re happy to go ahead, vaccines may be given at the appointment or at a follow-up visit. You can usually have several vaccines in one visit. Any vaccine you’ve received will be recorded, and you’ll be told about possible side effects and what to do if you feel unwell. 

5. Paperwork and advice to take away

You should leave with a record of your vaccines, any certificates you need, and written advice for your trip. Ask for a copy for your own records, and keep it with your passport.

What should you bring?

• Your travel itinerary, including dates, destinations, stopovers and activities
• Your vaccination records, such as your child’s Red Book, and any previous travel vaccine certificates
• A list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products and supplements
• Details of any medical conditions, allergies or recent illnesses
• If you’re having a vaccine, wear short sleeves or a top that’s easy to roll up
   

If you have a complex medical history, it may help to bring a recent GP summary or a letter from a specialist.

What does it cost?

In England, the NHS provides some travel vaccines free of charge: diphtheria, tetanus and polio, typhoid, hepatitis A and cholera, depending on eligibility. Many others, such as yellow fever, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B for travel and meningitis ACWY, are normally charged for. There may also be a fee for the consultation, and for any antimalarial tablets or other items.

Ask for a clear price list at the start of your appointment, so you can plan your vaccines around your budget. If you’re travelling with family or a group, ask whether a combined consultation is available.

Common vaccines for popular destinations

From Tyldesley, many people travel to destinations including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and South America. Here are some examples of what might be recommended, depending on your itinerary:

• Thailand, India and Cambodia: hepatitis A, typhoid, and possibly hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis. See our destination health guides for more

   

• Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar: hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever (depending on your route), and malaria protection

   

• Hajj and Umrah: meningitis ACWY (required), flu and others. See our Hajj and Umrah health guide

   

• South America: yellow fever for many areas, plus hepatitis A and typhoid

   

This is only a guide, and your own advice will depend on your plans.