Travel Vaccine Center
Travel Vaccine Center
Are you about to head off on your gap year of travel? Are you getting ready for your spiritual journey to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah? Or are you jetting off for a few days on a business trip to a more exotic country?Wherever you are going in this world, the Hayshine Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Welling is here to keep you safe and protected along your way.We’re registered with the National Travel Health Network & Centre, a UK government organisation NaTHNaC our registration number is UKYFVC9071 verified with NaTHNaC online
Complete Travel Vaccination Service
Our travel clinic offers a complete vaccination service for destinations all across the globe. We can help you identify any vaccinations you should take before travelling and make sure the vaccines are effective before you go on your journey.
Here is a list of all the travel vaccinations we offer, the dosages, and their price:
Hepatitis A
Adults over 16 years old
- Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The virus can be spread through water contaminated with human faeces or by direct contact with a person already infected with Hepatitis A. Most infections occur in low-income countries with relatively poor hygiene practises.
- Symptoms of Hepatitis A may include: fever, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), malaise and nausea.
- The vaccine schedule: 2 doses, 6-12 months apart.
- Length of protection: 25 years.
Hepatitis A Junior
Under 16 years of age
- Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that causes inflammation of the liver. The virus can be spread through water contaminated with human faeces or by direct contact with a person already infected with Hepatitis A. Most infections occur in low-income countries with relatively poor hygiene practises.
- Symptoms of Hepatitis A may include: fever, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), malaise and nausea.
- The vaccine schedule: 2 doses, 6-12 months apart.
- Length of protection: 25 years.
Typhoid
2 years of age and above
- Typhoid is a bacterial infection that is caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi.
- Symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid include: fever, headache, muscle or joint pains, constipation or diarrhoea and a rash. Complications include intestinal bleeding and perforation (development of a hole in the wall of the bowel). If treated most people will make a full recovery however if untreated death rates can be high. Antibiotic resistant infections are increasingly common; this can complicate and reduce treatment options.
- The vaccine schedule: 1 dose
- Length of protection: 3 years
Diptheria/Tetanus/Polio (DtP)
6 years of age and above
- Diptheria is a highly infectious bacterial infection that can infect the respiratory system and sometimes the skin. The disease is usually spread through coughing or sneezing.
- The main symptoms of Typhoid: sore throat, difficulty and/or pain on swallowing, husky voice, fever, cough and headache. A grey/yellow membrane of dead tissue may develop over the tonsils and throat which can lead to airway obstruction and breathing difficulties. Lymph glands become swollen, prominent and tender, producing a 'bull neck'. The toxin produced may affect other organs and it can be fatal.
- Tetanus is a disease caused by a toxin produced by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani. Tetanus spores are found in soil throughout the world. The disease is acquired when material containing these spores, such as soil, contaminates a wound. The toxin released from the bacteria may then attack the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Tetanus is not spread by person to person contact.
- Tetanus-prone wounds include the following: Certain animal bites and scratches, Burns, Puncture type wounds in a contaminated environment, eye injuries, wounds containing foreign bodies.
- Poliomyelitis (polio) is a potentially paralysing, vaccine preventable, viral infection. The virus is transmitted through food or water contaminated by infected human faeces or by direct contact with an infectious person. Polio is extremely rare in UK travellers with the last imported case occurring in 1993. Those at increased risk include travellers visiting friends and relatives, those in direct contact with an infected person, long-stay travellers, and those visiting areas of poor sanitation.
- The Vaccine Schedule: 1 Dose
Length of protection: 10 years
Hepatitis B
-
- Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread through contact with blood or body fluids contaminated with hepatitis B virus (HBV). It occurs worldwide with highest rates of infection reported in the Western Pacific and African regions.
- Risk for most travellers is usually low. However, there is an increased risk associated with certain activities, including:
- Unprotected sex with new partners.
- Occupational risk, such as healthcare work or humanitarian aid work.
- Injecting drug use.
- Travelling for medical reasons or with medical conditions requiring medical treatment whilst overseas.
- Participation in contact sports.
- Adoption of children from intermediate/high risk countries.
- Long-stay travel.
- The risk is typically greater in areas where there is an intermediate to high risk of HBV.
- Most people infected with HBV will have no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness. Symptoms are more common in adults than children and may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), loss of appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Chronic (long-term) HBV develops in up to 90 percent of children infected in the first year of life and in only five percent of those infected as adults. Chronic infection may lead to liver failure or liver cancer.
- Prevention
- All travellers should avoid contact with blood and bodily fluids by:
- Avoiding unprotected sex.
- Following universal precautions if working in healthcare or other higher risk settings.
- Avoiding tattooing, piercing and acupuncture (unless sterile equipment is used).
- Not sharing needles or other injection equipment.
- Not sharing shaving equipment.
- Any traveller can be at risk of an accident or require emergency treatment; infection control may be inadequate. A sterile medical equipment kit may be helpful when travelling to resource poor areas.
- The vaccine schedule: 3 doses – 0, 1 and 6 months
Length of Protection (after 3rd dose) – 1 year or more
Meningitis ACWY
from birth
- Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially devastating infection. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis of which there are 6 disease-causing strains called serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y and X). Approximately 10 percent of the general population of the UK are thought to carry meningitidisin the lining of the nose and throat. Spread between individuals occurs through coughing, sneezing, kissing or during close contact with a carrier. Carriers do not have symptoms, but can develop disease when bacteria invade the bloodstream from the nasopharynx (area at the back of the nose and throat). Invasive disease is a rare but serious outcome usually presenting as septicaemia (blood poisoning) or meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain).
- Following several large outbreaks associated with pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia all those travelling for the Hajj or Umrah and seasonal workers to this area, are currently required to show proof of vaccination with quadrivalent vaccine (protecting against the A, C, W and Y serogroups) in order to obtain a visa.
- Invasive meningococcal disease usually presents as meningitis or septicaemia. Symptoms of meningitis include: sudden onset of fever, intense headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms of septicaemia include: fever, chills, confusion and a rash. Both conditions may progress rapidly and are serious diseases with high risk of complications and fatality.
- The vaccine schedule: 1 dose
- Length of protection: atleast 5 years
Meningitis B
2 months of age or above
- Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially devastating infection. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis of which there are 6 disease-causing strains called serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y and X). Approximately 10 percent of the general population of the UK are thought to carry meningitidisin the lining of the nose and throat. Spread between individuals occurs through coughing, sneezing, kissing or during close contact with a carrier. Carriers do not have symptoms, but can develop disease when bacteria invade the bloodstream from the nasopharynx (area at the back of the nose and throat). Invasive disease is a rare but serious outcome usually presenting as septicaemia (blood poisoning) or meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain).
- Invasive meningococcal disease usually presents as meningitis or septicaemia. Symptoms of meningitis include: sudden onset of fever, intense headache, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms of septicaemia include: fever, chills, confusion and a rash. Both conditions may progress rapidly and are serious diseases with high risk of complications and fatality.
- The vaccine schedule: 2 doses
- Length of protection: atleast 3 years
Cholera
2 years of age and above
- Cholera is a disease, characterised by profuse, watery diarrhoea, caused by certain toxin-producing forms of the bacteria called Vibrio cholera. Cholera is transmitted by ingesting (eating and drinking) contaminated water or food. It is common in many low-income countries and is largely linked to poverty, bad sanitation and poor access to clean drinking water.
- The risk of cholera for most travellers is extremely low. Activities that may increase risk include drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked food (particularly seafood) in areas where outbreaks are occurring. Travellers living in unsanitary conditions, including humanitarian workers in disaster/refugee areas, are also at risk.
- Cholera can be mild or occur without symptoms in healthy individuals. Symptoms include sudden, profuse, watery diarrhoea with associated nausea and vomiting. If untreated, cholera can rapidly lead to serious dehydration and shock; fifty percent of those with serious complications, die. With quick and effective treatment, risk of dying is less than one percent.
- The vaccine schedule:
- 2 -5 years old: 3 doses (day 0, 7 and 14)
- 6 years and above: 2 doses (day 0 and 7)
- Length of protection: Up to 2 years
Japanese Encephalitis
-
- Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain transmitted to humans by mosquitoes in parts of Asia and the Western Pacific. The mosquitoes that transmit JE feed mostly at night, between dusk and dawn and are prolific in rural areas, where rice cultivation and pig farming are common. Although, the mosquitos may also be found in peri urban locations.
- The risk for most travellers to Asia is very low, especially for short-term travellers visiting urban areas. The overall incidence of JE among people from non-affected countries travelling to Asia is estimated to be less than one case per 1 million travellers. Risk for the traveller depends on their: destination, duration of travel, season and activities. Risk increases for people who intend to live or travel in risk areas for long periods of time and plan to visit rural areas. Certain activities, even during short trips, where there is significant rural, outdoor or nighttime exposure e.g. fieldwork or camping can increase the traveller's risk.
- Most human infections with JE virus are mild or have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they include fever, headache and confusion. In symptomatic cases requiring hospitalisation, death rates are high and neurological complications are common.
- The vaccine schedule: 2 doses (Day 0 and 28)
- Length of protection: 1 – 2 years
Yellow Fever
9 months and above
- Yellow fever (YF) is caused by a virus of the Flaviviridaefamily, which circulates between infected monkeys or humans and mosquitoes.
- YF virus can cause an illness that results in jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and bleeding with severe damage to the major organs (e.g. liver, kidneys and heart). The mortality rate is high in those who develop severe disease.
- YF is a vaccine preventable disease. In order to prevent the international spread of YF, under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), countries may require proof of vaccination, recorded in an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). A Medical Letter of Exemption (MLoE) from vaccination which should be taken into consideration by a receiving country can be provided where a health professional advises that an individual should not be vaccinated on medical grounds.
- Areas with a 'risk of YF transmission' (also known as endemic areas) are countries (or areas within countries) where mosquito species known to transmit the disease are present and where the infection is reported in monkeys and/or humans.
- Some areas are designated as 'low risk' (also described as areas with low potential for exposure to yellow fever); these are bordering endemic areas where there have been no confirmed reports of yellow fever in either monkeys or humans, and evidence of transmission in the past is uncertain or suggests low prevalence of infection. Transmission of YF virus in these areas is therefore considered unlikely.
- Under-reporting, limitations in surveillance methods and misdiagnosis make estimating the burden of YF disease challenging. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 200,000 cases of YF and 30,000 deaths occur globally each year with the majority (90 percent) occurring in Africa. These estimates are based on studies from the early 1990s. However, a recent study of YF disease burden in Africa estimated there to be 130,000 (95% CI 51-380,000) cases of severe YF in 2013, resulting in 78,000 (95% CI 19-180,000) deaths.
- YF varies in severity. The infection has an incubation period (time from infected mosquito feeding and symptoms developing) of three to six days. Initial symptoms include myalgia (muscle pain), pyrexia (high temperature), headache, anorexia (lack of appetite), nausea, and vomiting. In many patients there will be improvement in symptoms and gradual recovery three to four days after the onset of symptoms.
- Within 24 hours of an apparent recovery, 15 to 25 percent of patients progress to a more serious illness. This takes the form of an acute haemorrhagic fever, in which there may be bleeding from the mouth, eyes, ears, and stomach, pronounced jaundice (yellowing of the skin, from which the disease gets its name), and renal (kidney) damage. The patient develops shock and there is deterioration of major organ function; 20 to 50 percent of patients who develop this form of the disease do not survive [21]. Infection results in lifelong immunity in those who recover.
- The vaccine schedule: 1 dose
- Length of protection: Lifetime Vaccine (atleast 35 years).
Travel Clinic In Welling Is Protecting People In The Community
Our pharmacists at BEXLEYHEATH PHARMACY are fully trained to administer travel vaccinations of all types and prescribe antimalarial medication. We also give you thorough, up-to-date health advice and information ahead of your travels so that you’re fully aware of the risks involved before you depart.
Malaria Prevention
Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and is transmitted to humans through the bite of female Anopheles spp. mosquitoes.
In 2023, there were an estimated 263 million cases of malaria worldwide and 597,000 deaths in 83 countries. Children aged under five years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that they account for 76 percent of all malaria deaths worldwide every year.
There are five species of Plasmodium that regularly cause disease in humans: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. knowlesi.
All travellers visiting malaria endemic regions are at risk of acquiring malaria. Migrants to the UK, who were born in malaria risk areas and return to visit friends and relatives in their country of birth, may be at higher risk as they may believe they are immune to malaria and therefore do not seek pre-travel advice or take malaria prevention measures
Certain travellers are at increased risk of severe disease if they have malaria. These include pregnant women, the immunosuppressed, those with an absent or dysfunctional spleen, those with complex co-morbidities, young children, and older travellers.
Awareness of the risk
Bite prevention
Chemoprophylaxis (appropriate choice of antimalarial medication and compliance with the regime)
Diagnosis (prompt diagnosis and treatment without delay)
There is currently no commercially available malaria vaccine for travellers.
This includes the regular use and reapplication of a 50 percent DEET-based (or alternative if DEET is not tolerated or unavailable) insect repellent, well maintained insecticide treated mosquito nets (unless accommodation has functioning air-conditioning which is in use), appropriate loosely fitting clothing and sleeping in screened (windows and doors) accommodation.
Regardless of whether antimalarial tablets are recommended, effective bite prevention measures should be the first line of defence against malaria. Using effective bite prevention methods will also help to protect against infection with other vector-borne diseases.
Travellers should depart on their journey already equipped with mosquito protection measures appropriate to their particular circumstances and carry insect repellent in their hand luggage.
Chemoprophylaxis
Malarone (Atovaquone and Proguanil)
ONE tablet to be taken daily. Start taking 24-48 hours before travelling, continue during the period of stay and continue after 7 days of leaving the area.
The number of tablets required – Number of days in endemic area (x) + 9 tablets.
Doxycycline
ONE tablet to be taken daily. Start taking 24-48 hours before travelling, continue during the period of stay and continue after 28 days of leaving the area.
The number of tablets required – Number of days in endemic area (x) + 30 capsules.
Lariam (Mefloquine)
ONE tablet to be taken once a week. First dose 10 days before departure and second dose 3 days before departure. Subsequent doses should be taken on the same day of each week and to be continued 4 weeks after departure of endemic area.
The number of tablets required – Number of weeks in endemic area (x) + 6 tablets.
