ENCOURAGE YOUR PATIENTS TO HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE FOR WHAT TO DO IF THEY BECOME SICK WHILE TRAVELING


into consideration when planning and budgeting for travel.


• 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 traveling, 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 else can patients do to protect themselves while traveling? In addition to getting vaccinated, there are a number of other precautionary steps they can take while traveling, including:


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


Symptoms Diphtheria Hepatitis A Hepatitis B


Diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration Sore throat, fever, weakness, swollen glands, difficulty breathing


Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice How it is spread Contaminated food and water


Respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person


Fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice Contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person


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


Japanese encephalitis Fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, seizures Mosquito bites Meningococcal Meningitis


Poliomyelitis Rabies


Tetanus Typhoid


Yellow Fever 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.


Flu-like symptoms, paralysis


Headache, fever, stiff neck, confusion, rash Respiratory secretions or close contact with an infected person


Contaminated food, water or contact with infected faecal matter


Fever, headache, muscle weakness, seizures, Bites or scratches from infected animals hydrophobia


Muscle stiffness and spasms, lockjaw Fever, weakness, stomach pain, diarrhoea Fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, jaundice


Contaminated wounds or cuts Contaminated food and water Mosquito bites


• Practicing good hygiene (e.g. washing hands frequently, using hand sanitizer, avoiding touching their face)


• Avoiding 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: www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/ Fit for Travel: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations Travel Health Pro: www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries


TRAVELLERS SHOULD KEEP A RECORD OF ALL VACCINATIONS THEY RECEIVE, INCLUDING THE DATE, TYPE OF VACCINE, AND LOT NUMBER


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