Plan Your Travel Health in Advance
Planning for your health is just as important as planning your itinerary. Many travel-related diseases are preventable with the right vaccinations and precautions. It is recommended to seek travel health advice at least six to eight weeks before your departure date, as some vaccination courses need to be completed over several weeks.
Comprehensive Pre-Travel Consultation
At Royal Knight Medical, every travel health service begins with a comprehensive pre-travel consultation. This allows the GP to provide personalised advice based on your specific travel plans and individual health needs.
What to Expect
During your consultation, the GP will discuss:
- Your Itinerary: The countries you will be visiting, the duration of your stay, and the type of travel (e.g., business, leisure, backpacking).
- Your Health: Your medical history, any pre-existing conditions, and your vaccination history.
- Recommended Vaccinations: Based on your destination and travel plans, the GP will advise on the recommended and required vaccinations.
- General Travel Health Advice: You will also receive advice on other travel health matters, such as malaria prevention, food and water safety, and what to do in case of illness abroad.
Travel Vaccinations
Royal Knight Medical provides a wide range of travel vaccinations. Some vaccinations are available for free on the NHS, while others are private.
NHS Travel Vaccinations
The following travel vaccinations are provided free of charge by the NHS:
- Polio (as part of the combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio vaccine)
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Cholera
Private Travel Vaccinations
For some destinations, you may need additional vaccinations that are not covered by the NHS. Royal Knight Medical can provide these on a private basis. These may include:
- Hepatitis B
- Japanese Encephalitis
- Meningitis
- Rabies
- Tick-Borne Encephalitis
- Yellow Fever (at designated centres)
The GP will provide you with a clear breakdown of the costs for any private vaccinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I know which vaccinations I need for my trip?
The vaccinations you need depend on your destination, your planned activities, and your health. The GP at Royal Knight Medical will provide a full risk assessment during your consultation. You can also get information from the Travel Health Pro website.
When is the best time to get my travel vaccinations?
It is best to book your travel health consultation at least six to eight weeks before you travel. This ensures there is enough time for any necessary vaccination courses to be completed and for the vaccines to become fully effective.
Are all travel vaccinations available at the GP practice?
Your GP practice can provide most travel vaccinations, including those available on the NHS and many private ones. However, some specialised vaccines, like the yellow fever vaccine, are only available at designated centres. Your GP can advise you on where to get these.
