Advice for Travellers
Travel Vaccines Process
If you are travelling abroad and would like to see your vaccination history, you can view all these details via the NHS App. You may then be able to research if you would require additional vaccinations before completing the Assesment Form.
Travel Health Pro provides country information including vaccine recommendations. You can find this via the link below:
If after reviewing the vaccine recommendations, you believe you require travel vaccines, the following processs should be followed:
A Travel Vaccine Assesment Form should (if possible) be completed 6 weeks before travel. We will always do our best to provide this service, however, if you have booked a last minute trip and we are unable to offer an appointment, DoctorNow based in Beaconsfield (01494 410888) may be able to help.
A form is required per person for each traveller. This includes children under 18.
The best and most efficient way of accessing the travel form is via the Ask First App. You can also fill click below to access an internal form.
Travel Vaccine Assessment Form Download (PDF, 225KB)
Please email to [email protected]
The nurse will then be in contact via text message to discuss your requirements and if necessary organise an appointment for you to come in to the surgery for the relevant vaccine.
If you are taking regular medication, discuss with your doctor or practice nurse any special arrangements or precautions. If you have a condition such as asthma, which may occasionally require medication, be sure to take an emergency supply with you, and carry it in your hand luggage. Always make sure you have enough of any prescription medicines.
Pack a small first aid and holiday health kit containing:
- Travel sickness tablets
- Paracetamol, including paracetamol and/or ibuprofen syrups for children
- Sunscreen – SPF 15 or higher (SPF 16 or higher for small children)
- Sunburn treatment, eg calamine
- Plasters and antiseptic wipes
- Oral rehydration solution; anti-diarrhoea
- Indigestion remedy, eg antacid
- Insect repellent
- Water purification tablets
- Condoms/other contraceptives
- Antihistamine tablets
- In some developing countries or where medical supplies may not be reliable, it may be wise to include sterile needles and syringes, dressings and suture materials
All these items should be available from your chemist.
When Abroad
Check on the quality of drinking water. Where there is a risk of food or water-borne disease, it is wise to eat food that is freshly cooked, or fruit that can be peeled. Avoid drinking the local water supply or raw food washed in it. Remember, this includes ice in drinks and cleaning your teeth. Bottled water is usually available in tourist areas; choose carbonated where possible as this cannot easily be filled from a tap! Water purification tablets can be used if you are ‘roughing it’.
Diarrhoea and vomiting can ruin a holiday. Apart from eating and drinking wisely, be prepared – take antidiarrhoeals with you. However, these are not suitable for children or if the diarrhoea contains any blood. Antidiarrhoeals will alleviate the symptoms and electrolyte solutions will replace essential salts. If you are afflicted, try to replace fluid loss with bottled water and remember, as children dehydrate more quickly than adults, it may be wise to call for help.
It is advisable to use effective insect repellents wherever there are mosquitoes. Apart from the irritating bites they can inflict, mosquitoes may also carry diseases – including malaria and yellow fever – in countries where contact with these diseases is a risk.
Beware of the sun! Use a high factor sun screen particularly in the first few days of exposure. Small children burn very easily and need adequate protection from a total sun block applied frequently. Keep children in the shade as much as possible and provide plenty of water.
In hot climates drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks. If you are not passing water regularly, you are not drinking enough.
On Your Return
If you are ill and need to see your doctor, don’t forget to mention that you have recently travelled abroad.
If you receive medical treatment abroad, tell your own doctor on your return.