AS PHARMACISTS WE ARE WELL-POSITIONED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CARE TO TRAVELLERS


• Some vaccinations require multiple doses, so it is important to plan ahead and allow enough time to complete the vaccination series before travelling.


• Travellers should confirm their primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including for example, Covid, seasonal flu vaccine, MMR, vaccines they may require as part of their occupation, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.


• Some pharmacies may offer travel vaccinations, but it is important to remind patients to check in advance to see which vaccinations you can offer in the pharmacy and to ensure you can order them ahead of time and have them in stock


• Encourage your patients to have a plan in place for what to do if they become sick while travelling, including knowing how to access medical care.


• Travellers should make sure they have adequate travel health insurance.


• Travellers should keep a record of all vaccinations they receive, including the date, type of vaccine, and lot number. This can be helpful in case of any adverse reactions or in case proof of vaccination is required for entry into a certain country. Some countries require proof of vaccination on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before entering or leaving a country.


• Check the latest advice on Covid-19 in the destination country as well as any requirements when returning from that country to the UK.


• Remind your patients that some countries such as India, Turkey, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates, have restrictions on what medicines can be brought into the country. They should check in advance with the embassy of the country to which they are travelling.


What are the most common diseases that travellers can be vaccinated against? Disease


Symptoms Cholera Diphtheria Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Japanese Meningitis Poliomyelitis Flu-like symptoms, paralysis Rabies


Tetanus Typhoid


Fever, headache, muscle weakness, seizures, hydrophobia


Muscle stiffness and spasms, lockjaw Fever, weakness, stomach pain, diarrhoea


Yellow Fever Fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, jaundice


Diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration Sore throat, fever, weakness,


swollen glands, difficulty breathing Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice Fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, seizures


encephalitis Meningococcal Headache, fever, stiff neck, confusion, rash


How it is spread


Contaminated food and water Respiratory secretions or close


contact with an infected person


Contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person


Infected bodily fluids (e.g. blood, semen) or sharing of needles


Mosquito bites


Respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person


Contaminated food, water or contact with infected faecal matter


Bites or scratches from infected animals


Contaminated wounds or cuts Contaminated food and water Mosquito bites


Other diseases Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Travellers cannot be vaccinated against malaria, but can take anti-malaria tablets such as atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine when travelling to high-risk areas.


TRAVELLERS SHOULD KEEP A RECORD OF ALL VACCINATIONS THEY RECEIVE, INCLUDING THE DATE, TYPE OF VACCINE, AND LOT NUMBER. THIS CAN BE HELPFUL IN CASE OF ANY ADVERSE REACTIONS


scottishpharmacist.com 9


What else can patients do to protect themselves while travelling? In addition to getting vaccinated, there are a number of other precautionary steps patients can take while travelling, including: • Practicing good hygiene (e.g. washing hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, avoiding touching their face)


• Preventing mosquito bites (e.g. wearing long sleeves and trousers, using insect repellent, staying in air-conditioned or screened-in areas)


• Being cautious about what they eat and drink (e.g. avoiding tap water, street food, and undercooked meat)


• Taking precautions to avoid sexually transmitted infections


When they return Remind your patients that if they feel unwell when they return from travelling abroad to always seek advice from a healthcare professional and inform them of their recent travel history.


Useful resources NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/ Fit for Travel: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations Travel Health Pro: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48