Travel Advice

Vaccination advice of countries may vary and it is the responsibility of the intending traveller to obtain information on the vaccination requirements of the country to be visited.

Please look at the information on the website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and find out which vaccine(s) you will require.

From 1 April 2022, travel vaccines previously provided by GP practices will be delivered by community pharmacies.  This does not include the covid-19 vaccine.

For information on what vaccines are needed for travel, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

These types of  vaccine may be for hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio, diptheria and tetanus.

Travel immunisations that cannot be given as an NHS service

• Yellow Fever
• Japanese B encephalitis
• Tick borne encephalitis
• Rabies
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY)
• Malaria tablets (prophylaxis)

Malaria products can be purchased from a pharmacy whereas others may be prescription only. Most pharmacy’s can supply/prescribe this but there will be a charge.

If you are intending to travel abroad you should:

• check the entry requirements for your destination country on the UK foreign travel advice pages
• get up-to-date information from the website of your destination country

Travel Clinics

You are able to directly contact a Travel clinic for all aspects of travel safety, advice and immunisation. This will incur a charge.

Malaria Prophylaxis

This is not provided on the NHS. Some products can be purchased from a pharmacy, whereas others may be prescription only. Most Pharmacists can supply/prescribe this but there will be charge applied. The final cost of the medicine will include a dispensing fee determined by the Pharmacist supplying the medicine.

Altitude Sickness Prophylaxis

This must not be provided on the NHS. Acetazolamide is not licensed for preventing (or treating) altitude sickness.

Taking Controlled Drugs Abroad

It is always advisable to contact the Embassy/Consulate/High Commission of the country to be visited, well in advance of travel, regarding their policy on the importation of controlled drugs. It should be noted that some other medicines; including those available to purchase over-the-counter in the UK; may be subject to additional restrictions abroad.

Prescribing Of Sunscreen

Sunscreens should only be prescribed for patients with abnormal cutaneous photosensitivity resulting from genetic disorders or photodermatoses, including vitiligo and those resulting from radiotherapy; chronic or recurrent herpes simplex labialis (as defined by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances – ACBS). Preparations with an SPF less than 30 should not normally be prescribed.

Anticipation Of The Onset Of An Ailment

Prescribing or providing drugs, medicines or appliances (including a collection of drugs, medicines or appliances in the form of a travel kit) which a patient requires to have in his possession solely in anticipation of the onset of an ailment or occurrence of an injury while he/she is outside the UK but for which he/she is not requiring treatment when the medicine is prescribed, will not be provided on the NHS.

Stopping Periods

Periods are a normal part of life. There is no medical reason why they need to be stopped to go on holiday and the Health Board have stated that the NHS should not need to bear the cost of this.

A private prescription, can be issued, in certain circumstances either by:

1. Boots Pharmacy, offer an online period delay service. They offer medication to suitable customers who wish to postpone their menstruation in special circumstances. This is a private service and there will be a cost incurred.
2. Making a routine appointment at the Practice. If patient is suitable for this service, a private prescription will be issued, which incurs a charge, payable to the Practice. In addition, the Pharmacy will also make a charge per tablet dispensed.