Planning a holiday when you’re pregnant? Great! As long as there are no identified complications or concerns with your pregnancy, following the proper precautions and gaining information on when to travel, vaccinations and malaria advice, it is generally safe to travel at all times during your pregnancy.
Choose your holiday destination wisely. Some locations may carry extra risks and could require vaccinations and may have a high risk of malaria.
Destinations with a high risk of malaria or other mosquito-borne disease, such as dengue or zika should be avoided when pregnant.
Zika advice when pregnant or trying to conceive.
Seek advice early from your doctor or midwife, at least 6-8 weeks before your trip. If you have less time than this before you go, an appointment is still worthwhile. They can advise you whether it is safe for you to travel.
The early pregnancy scan that is usually performed between 10 to 13 weeks gestation, should ideally be done prior to your trip to confirm the viability of the pregnancy, exclude ectopic pregnancy and assess the gestation. It is also a good idea that you know your blood group before departure. You should be aware that the blood supply may not be safe in some countries, there may be a risk of blood-borne infection. Consider joining the Blood Care Foundation, members can have access to screened blood worldwide for use in an emergency. You can become a member at Blood Care Foundation
Travelling with certain pre-existing medical conditions or pregnancy complications (past or current) is not recommended, specific advice should be sought from your obstetrician and midwife.
You should take your ante-natal records and next of kin details with you when travelling.
Suitable gynaecological, obstetric and neonatal care may be limited or non-existent in some areas. Emergency plans should be made before you travel. It is a good idea to find out what healthcare facilities are at your destination in case you require urgent medical attention. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website provides advice on availability of medical treatment/facilities and any travel warnings on an individual country basis.
Don’t forget that misunderstandings due to language barriers or cultural problems might make communication and treatment more difficult than it would be when you’re at home.
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential for all travellers, particularly when pregnant. You must make a full declaration of any medical conditions, including pregnancy to your insurers. Pregnant women should check that the policy will cover the cost of medical treatment if a pregnancy related problem occurs, this should include the care of a pre-term baby and repatriation costs if applicable. You should also make sure that all equipment and planned activities will be covered by your policy.
Further information on travel insurance visit Fit For Travel
The best time to travel is in your second trimester. In most cases, feelings of nausea and extreme tiredness will have passed by the end of the first trimester. The risk of miscarriage is also higher in the first three months, whether you’re travelling or not. Travelling in the last months of pregnancy can be tiring and uncomfortable.
If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, flying is not harmful for you or your baby. Before you book your tickets, check with your airline and insurance company that they will allow you to travel while pregnant. Women with high-risk pregnancies, which include abnormalities of the placenta or increased risk of premature labour, should avoid flying.
The safest time to fly in your pregnancy is:
Single baby pregnancy – before 37 weeks.
Uncomplicated twin pregnancy – Before 32 weeks.
The likelihood of going into labour is naturally higher after these times (1).
Most airlines do not allow women to fly after 37 weeks. It is important that you check with your airline before flying. Remember to factor in the date of your return journey (1).
After week 28 of your pregnancy, your airline may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date, and that you aren’t at risk of complications (1)
When you are pregnant and for up to six weeks after the birth of your baby long-distance travel (more than four hours) carries an increased risk of developing a blood clot, otherwise known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT is a blood clot that can form in your leg or pelvis. If it travels to your lungs it can be life threatening. When you fly, drink plenty of water and move about regularly – every 30 minutes or so. Wear graduated elastic compression stockings – your midwife or doctor will need to provide the correct size and type for you as they are different from standard flight socks that you buy from a pharmacy. Your doctor or midwife may advise you take other medication if your risk is high.
The Royal College of Obstetricians have produced an excellent information sheet on Flying in Pregnancy
Some cruise liner companies or ferry companies may decline to carry pregnant women in the mid to late stages of their pregnancy. You should check your individual liners company requirements when booking and also take into account any connecting flights. It’s a good idea to find out if there are on-board medical facilities to deal with pregnancy and what medical services are at the docking ports.
Pregnancy does not prevent a woman from receiving vaccines that are considered safe and will protect her health and that of her unborn baby. Most inactivated vaccines are considered safe in pregnancy and can be used if the risk of infection is high and both the mother and the baby would be in serious danger if she were to contract infections such as such as typhoid and hepatitis. A careful risk assessment will be made by your healthcare professional and a joint decision would be made with you whether vaccinations are recommended.
Vaccines that use live bacteria or viruses are not recommended during pregnancy because of concerns that the virus or bacteria in the vaccine could potentially infect the baby in the womb. However, the use of live vaccines in pregnancy may be appropriate if the woman’s travel is unavoidable and the risk of the disease is high. Lives vaccines would include Yellow Fever and MMR vaccinations.
It is recommended that women do not travel to known malaria risk areas when pregnant. You should consider postponing your trip, unless it is essential. Malaria carries serious risks for both you and your unborn baby.
Pregnant women are more attractive to mosquitoes and are therefore more likely to get a severe form of malaria. It is very likely that you would develop severe complications from malaria. Malaria in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight and maternal or neonatal death. It can also be very difficult to diagnose malaria in pregnancy.
If you are travelling to malaria risk areas it is essential that you are aware of your increased risk and advice is sought about the safest malaria prophylaxis medication available.
The Royal College of Obstetricians have produced an excellent information sheet on Malaria and Pregnancy
As with all travellers, bite prevention is crucial in the prevention of malaria, and other mosquito borne diseases. The use of insect repellents is essential. DEET should not be used in concentrations higher than 50% during pregnancy.
Mosquito bite avoidance advice sheet
Travellers’ diarrhoea is a common concern when travelling abroad. This can affect up to 50% of travellers and can lead to dehydration. Ensure you drink plenty of bottled water, or use canned juices or soft drinks as an alternative. Always check that dairy products are pasteurised. Fruit should be peeled. Salads should be avoided as could be contaminated with soil or washed with local water. All vegetables should ideally be cooked. Fish and shellfish are best avoided. Some medicines for treating stomach upsets and traveller’s diarrhoea aren’t suitable during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and planning a trip we recommend that you book an appointment to discuss your trip with one of our nurses at our clinic.
To book an appointment call 01273 749100 or 01903 254774 or book ONLINE
3. http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/927.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=133
4. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/travel-pregnant.aspx
6.http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/pregnancy/
7.http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/zika-virus/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Nurse giving child injection in arm
Having vaccinations can sometimes be a very scary thing for kids and parents. A little bit of preparation can help to ease your child’s fear and will also minimize the anxiety for both of you.
Whatever the child’s previous experiences of a healthcare setting are, a visit to clinic can be not only a challenge, but also potentially frightening and very traumatic for them.
Don’t underestimate the importance of preparation. An unprepared child is a frightened and anxious child. I have been a children’s nurse for many years and have worked in lots of acute settings where I have had to help children overcome their fears during procedures and have witnessed first-hand how important preparation is.
A well-prepared child is less likely to suffer long-term emotional effects, which in turn will make any following visits to a healthcare setting a more positive experience for them.
According to the National Association of Hospital Play Staff (NAHPS, 1987): “Over the years, several controlled studies have been completed and they show that well-prepared children suffer less emotional trauma post procedurally than children who have had no preparation.”
Play preparation helps to improve the child’s ability to cope. It can also give the child some control over the situation, allowing them to participate and possibly make some of their own choices. For example which limb will be used for the injection or who they will sit with?
About a day or so before the appointment talk to your child about the injection. Answer your child’s questions honestly and use a straightforward approach. Use plain language that is age appropriate. Discuss the importance of having the injection and how it will help to keep them well. Remember they may need to have more than one, so don’t promise that it is just one needle.
Explain what is expected of your child, that the injection will hurt a little but not for very long. Help your child to choose clothes that are easy to remove because the nurse needs give their injection in their arm. Babies under 12 months of age are given vaccinations into the leg. You may want to start taking off layers before you go into the clinical room to see the nurse.
Try to avoid telling scary stories about injections or making threats about having to have injections if they are not behaving.
We can provide numbing cream or you can call it special ‘magic cream’ called Emla. That can be applied to both arms 1 hour before your child’s appointment. Please call reception to arrange collection of a pack. Emla Packs cost £8 and come with full instructions of use. You can explain that it can help to make the injection hurt less.
You could show your child the syringe used for the injection. You can obtain an oral syringe from a pharmacy for a small cost. Using toys to practice on can help to explain and help to lessen fear.
You could look at a book or pictures that show children who are having an injection.
You could watch a TV programme about injections. CBeebies has a great programme called Get Well Soon with Dr Ranj it is based on children’s experiences of going to the doctor. It features puppet characters that come to visit the doctor and through them children get to learn about common health issues.
We can’t promise we can make balloon models but we do have stickers and certificates though!
Allow plenty of time to get to your appointment.
It is natural to be worried when your child is having a vaccination. Try to stay calm and treat the situation in a rational way. If you’re anxious, your child may pick up on this and also become anxious and distressed. If you’re calm then your child will be too.
It is best to sit your child on your lap and cuddle them firmly, the nurse will show you how to hold them. Holding a child close to you helps to keep them calm. Smile and make eye contact with your child, let them know everything is OK and they are safe.
It is better if the injection is given quickly, your child won’t even see the needle or notice that anything has happened. If you’re nervous about seeing your child having an injection, it is better to bring someone else with you that the child knows who can hold the child for you.
Distraction helps during the injection. You can get your child to take a deep breath and pretend to blow bubbles or count. You could use a favourite toy or book or talk about something else to take their mind off the injection.
It is best not to apologise for subjecting them to the injection as it may make the child think that the injection is worse than it is or it is a punishment and will make them feel more anxious.
Comfort your child if he or she cries, and say it’s ok to cry, it doesn’t mean that they are not being brave. Try not to tell a child they are not “being brave” if they cry.
Give loads of praise and cuddles. We’ll be ready with stickers and certificates. You may want to bring a reward for them to have. Or take them somewhere nice afterwards for being so brilliant!
The best way to keep children calm is to have one adult reassuring the child having the injection and, ideally, a second adult with the other children in the waiting room. So it is always best to try to bring another adult with you to the appointment to help out. Children will be happier left in the waiting room with someone that they know.
Please try to complete the registration form and medical history form before you come, it helps to speed up the appointment for you and your child.
Please bring your child’s red book with you, so that the nurse can record your vaccine in the book.
We look forward to seeing you at the Sussex Travel Clinic soon.
National Association of Hospital Play Staff (1987) Let’s Play: Play Preparation for Surgery and Unpleasant Procedures. NAHPS, Middlesex
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/vaccination-appointment-tips-for-parents.aspx
Rabies is a virus transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. It can be spread to humans if an infected animal bites or scratches the skin, or licks an open cut. Once symptoms have manifested, rabies is nearly always fatal.
Rabies can be carried by any living mammal, but dogs are the source of the vast majority of human rabies deaths.
In the UK, we seldom hear about rabies, but latest estimates put the global death toll at close to 60,000 human deaths every year. (1)
Each year more than 15 million people worldwide seek treatment following rabies exposure. (2) More than 1000 people in the UK each year seek rabies post-exposure treatment (PEP). Most of these are travellers who seek this treatment on return to the UK. Contact with dogs has shown to be the commonest exposure that results in PEP, this is closely followed by contact with cats, monkeys and bats. (3)
The recent Public Health England report highlighted that “since 2000 there have been five human deaths from rabies in UK citizens; four of these in travellers following exposure in rabies endemic countries, and the fifth in a bat handler infected in Scotland. None of these individuals had received post-exposure prophylaxis.” (3)
A study of travellers who had a high risk bite injury in Africa and Asia showed that only 24% received both post exposure rabies vaccination and immunoglobulin in the country they were visiting. Many travellers have to return home to complete or obtain the full course of rabies post exposure treatment. (4)
In another study of backpackers travelling to Thailand it showed that 4% of them had a potential exposure from dogs that appeared healthy, and only a few knew about the transmission risks from bites, scratches and licks to broken skin. Only a very small percentage of this group had pre-exposure rabies courses before travel. (5)
Travellers may not always be aware of the poor availability of post exposure rabies treatment when travelling, particularly in Africa and Asia. It may not always be possible to complete a full World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended post exposure schedule in these countries.
So for travellers a bite from a dog or contact with monkeys, cats or bats becomes a worrying race against time to access life-saving post exposure treatment within 24 hours of the bite/scratch or lick to broken skin. Even a delay of a few days before receiving post exposure treatment can be deadly.
False – It is a good idea not to go near dogs or animals in countries where rabies is present. However, in most circumstances exposure to rabies is a result of an unprovoked attack.
If you are in a country with rabies and are bitten, scratched, licked on open skin (a cut or open eczema) or an animal spits in your face you are at risk of rabies and should seek medical advice immediately (preferably within 24 hours).
Never assume in a rabies risk country that the contact animal isn’t infected.
True – if you get bitten you should go straight to hospital. However, in many countries rabies treatment and vaccines are in short supply. In some countries there have even been counterfeit rabies vaccines administered.
It’s important that you know what post exposure treatment you should expect to receive. Studies have shown that local understanding and knowledge of rabies post exposure treatment can be sketchy and very limited. Travellers should not automatically accept the word or advice of local non-medical trained staff about what to do after possible rabies exposure.
If you have had pre-exposure rabies vaccinations, it is a good idea to take a copy of this vaccination history with you, so that you can show this to the hospital or clinic that you are attending for your post exposure treatment. Vaccine brands are interchangeable and don’t need to be the same as the ones you have already had.
False – rabies vaccinations are no longer given in the stomach and haven’t been for a considerable amount of time. They are generally given into a muscle in the upper arm. If you require HRIG this may be injected around the site of the wound depending upon the risk of the rabies contact.
Having the rabies vaccine before you travel just gives you more time to get to hospital if you are bitten.
False – it gives you antibodies. Receiving the pre-exposure vaccine also ensures that the follow up vaccines will work straight away, as your immune system has already produced antibodies to rabies. You must still get to hospital as soon as possible within 24 hours.
The best way to prevent rabies is to have the pre-exposure course of the vaccine before you travel. You still need to get post exposure treatment after animal contact but because your body has already produced antibodies, when you complete the course of vaccine you can have peace of mind that you will not get rabies. There have been no reports of any travellers who have received a pre-exposure course ever dying following exposure to the rabies virus.
Three doses given on Day 0, Day 7 and Day 21 or 28
Booster – every 10 years or if bitten, scratched or licked on an open wound when travelling.
Children – can be given to infants and children of any age
Cost Per Dose
£52.00 ( ID) or £80.00 (IM)
Watch this video produced by Jane Chiodini – Travel Nurse Specialist to see the benefits of having a course of rabies vaccine before you travel.
Sussex Travel Clinic does not routinely offer post exposure rabies treatment. If you have had a rabies exposure when travelling and need to complete a course of rabies vaccine on return to the UK, you can get rabies post exposure treatment free of charge via the NHS. You should contact your NHS GP as soon as possible and tell them that you have had a rabies exposure when travelling. Your GP will be able to access advice and vaccines from the Rabies Reference Laboratory. If you do not have an NHS GP then you can access the same advice and treatment via your local A & E department.
To book a course of rabies vaccinations please call the clinic on 01273 749100 or 01903 254774 or book ONLINE
Hampson K. et al. (2012) Estimating the Global Burden of Endemic Canine Rabies.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3459869/
Green Book – Immunisation against infectious disease
Public Health England (2015)
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-report-volume-9-2015/hpr-volume-9-issue-35-news-2-october)
(Ridding the world of rabies Sarah Cleaveland Adapted from Hampson et al. (2015))
Piyaphanee W. et al. (2010) Rabies Exposure Risk among Foreign Backpackers in Southeast Asia. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 82(6):1168- 1171. doi:10.4269/ ajtmh.2010.09-0699 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3459869/)
Nathnac – http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/rabies/
TRAVAX – http://www.travax.nhs.uk/diseases/vaccine-preventable/rabies.aspx
Fit For Travel – http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/disease-prevention-advice/rabies.aspx
The World Cup in Brazil is almost here, with thousands of people expected to descend on cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Manaus in the Amazon rainforest to enjoy a month long festival of fun, sun and fabulous football.
Football is in Brazil’s DNA; it’s the only country to have played in every World Cup, and has won it five times. But Brazil is very different to the UK – so just as some of the most famous names in sport are preparing to take their place on football’s biggest world stage, those of us planning to travel to the event should prepare too.
Most people who visit Brazil do so with no difficulty and come home with wonderful memories. Make sure this trip is one you want to remember by following a few simple travel safety tips from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).
For further information, travel advice and contact details visit www.gov.uk/worldcup2014
If you have any enquiries for FCO consular staff before you go or while abroad you can ask questions via the FCO Twitter service @FCOtravel. You can also keep up to date with the latest FCO travel advice by signing up to the FCO Facebook and Twitter feeds: www.facebook.com/fcotravel and twitter.com/fcotravel using #beontheball
These are some common questions that we get asked in travel health consultations.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that is spread by blood and infects and damages the liver. It is the most common blood borne virus worldwide and is a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer. The virus is 50-100 times more infectious than HIV. [1]
How can I catch Hepatitis B?
The virus is also present in other body fluids e.g. saliva, vaginal fluid and semen. The virus can get in through open wounds ,cuts, scratches and contaminated needles. The virus can survive outside the body for at least a week so surfaces contaminated with dried blood pose infection risk. [2]
Injecting drugs and sharing needles puts people at high risk of becoming infected, however, travel also puts people at risk if they are not vaccinated.
More than 12% of cases in the UK are thought to result from people travelling to and working in countries where there is increased risk of hepatitis b infection. [3]
Travellers most at risk are those who suffer accidents that result in requiring medical treatments abroad where unsterile or re used equipment may be used. About 8% of travellers are sick enough to require medical treatment in developing countries. [4]
Should I get a Hepatitis B Vaccine before travel?
The UK National Vaccination Programme does not vaccinate against Hepatitis B routinely, therefore, Hepatitis B vaccination should be considered for those travelling to developing countries .Those travellers at particular risk are those who are volunteering e.g. aid workers and those assisting with construction e.g. helping building schools. Travellers participating in school projects abroad will mix with potentially infected children in schools and may be accidently exposed to the virus e.g. through contact sports injuries or maybe volunteering in orphanages with sick children .Other travellers that are at risk are those whose work people work abroad puts them at risk e.g. body guards/police/ and travellers who adopt risky behaviours such as unprotected sex.
Travellers with any chronic diseases are potentially going to need medical attention whilst travelling so should consider vaccination.
Hepatitis b vaccination is a course of 3 injections >There are two schedules that may be offered according to time left to the traveller before departure.
Schedule 1: Day 0 1st vaccine Day 7 2nd vaccine Day 21 3rd vaccine
(This schedule requires a 4th vaccine 1 year later)
Day 0 1st vaccine 4 weeks later 2nd vaccine 5 months later 3rd vaccine
(This schedule requires a 4th vaccine 5 years later)
Cost – £40 per dose.
To book a Hepatitis B vaccine please call 01273 749100 or book ONLINE
Hepatitis B vaccine does not protect you against other blood borne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C. There are no vaccines available to prevent these infections. We recommend that you carry your own sterile needle kit for use in a medical emergency. These can be purchased in clinic or in our shop.
References
1. http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/the-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b.aspx
2. http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/the-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b.aspx
4. http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/the-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-b.aspx
4. http://www.travmed.com/healthguide/ch1.htm
Sanofi Pasteur MSD has voluntarily recalled 16 batches of Typhim Vi® typhoid vaccine due to concerns about the effectiveness of some of the vaccines. These batches were distributed from 7 January 2011.
There is no safety concern regarding the recalled vaccines, and revaccination is not recommended.
Typhoid is transmitted via contaminated food and water. No typhoid vaccine is 100% effective, therefore all travellers are advised to follow strict food and water hygiene advice.
Follow this guidance to reduce your risk of illness:
If you feel unwell on your return from a trip to a typhoid risk area, be alert to symptoms of typhoid and see your doctor immediately if you feel ill with any of the following symptoms:
Typhoid can be a mild, flu-like illness. Most people get a fever and a headache.
Symptoms appear about a week after you have eaten or drunk something contaminated with the bacteria and include:
If you feel unwell after a trip abroad please contact your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647
Should I have another typhoid vaccine?
There is currently a UK shortage of injectable typhoid vaccine so re-vaccination is not recommended. If you are a frequent traveller to high risk areas you may want to have the oral typhoid vaccine which is currently still available. It is taken in tablet form over 5 days and costs £30 per dose. Supplies will be limited and re-vaccination is not recommended if you are not at risk of typhoid exposure.
To book a typhoid vaccine please call 01273 749100.
Please note due to the large number of people affected by this vaccine recall Sussex Travel Clinic is unable to answer calls regarding the above information.
We will shortly be contacting anyone who has been given the recalled typhoid vaccine in our clinic by email or letter with further advice.
If you require further information please visit the HPA website.
Today is World Rabies Day – 28 September 2012
World Rabies Day is an initiative of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control set up with the aim to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies.
55,000 people worldwide die from rabies every year, most cases are in Africa and Asia. Rabies is spread through the bite, scratch or lick on broken skin, from an infected wild or domestic animal. The most important source of rabies throughout the world is uncontrolled rabies in dogs, with children at particular risk of exposure.
The inaugural World Rabies Day was held in 2007, and continues annually with events being held in 150 countries. A total of 182 million people have been educated and 7.7 million dogs have been vaccinated against rabies as a result.
Advice for Travellers
To find out more and watch videos about Rabies, symptoms and prevention visit the World Rabies Day site.
To book a rabies vaccine please call 01273 749100.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca is fast approaching and is due to fall between 24th and 29th October 2012. Hajj is the largest gathering of its kind in the world with over two million Muslims from around the world attending each year. A shorter pilgrimage Umrah can be performed at any time.
All pilgrims should ensure that they are up-to-date with routine immunisations including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
Meningitis ACWY – proof of vaccination is against meningococcal meningitis ACW135Y is required for all pilgrims aged 2 years and over. As outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis have occurred during previous Hajj pilgrimages vaccination is also advised for those under the age of two years. The vaccine should be given at least 10 days before travel and be given not less than 3 years before the date of travel. A certificate of vaccination is a requirement for visa purposes.
In association with the Muslim Council of Great Britain our clinic is able to offer anyone attending Hajj or Umrah the meningitis vaccine at the reduced rate of £35.
Polio – all pilgrims are advised to check that their polio vaccination is up-to-date. Polio vaccination lasts 10 years. If you require a booster you will receive a booster, using the trivalent tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine.
Yellow Fever – a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all pilgrims to Hajj and Umrah arriving from countries or areas at risk for transmission of yellow fever. You do not need a yellow fever certificate if you are arriving from the UK.
Influenza ( Seasonal flu) the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia recommends that all pilgrims are vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Influenza is easily spread in crowded conditions. If you have a chronic illness, are pregnant or a carer you may be entitled to an NHS flu vaccine. If you are not entitled to a flu jab we can help- cost £18.
Hepatitis A and Typhoid – pilgrims should consider being vaccinated against these food and waterborne diseases.
Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B virus is found in body fluids and can be transmitted through sexual contact or contact with bodily fluids. Transmission can occur through the use of contaminated medical, dental, or other instruments. Men must shave their head as part of one of the rites of Hajj. All pilgrims should consider a course of hepatitis B vaccine. Pilgrims should avoid shaving with a blade previously used and may want to take their own disposable razor blade to avoid risk of infection from Hepatitis B and other blood borne illnesses such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
Full vaccine recommendations for Saudi Arabia can be found on FitForTravel
To book vaccinations for Hajj please call 01273 749100 or book online
Sussex Travel Clinic is now booking appointments for flu jabs. Our flu vaccines will be delivered at the end of September and clinics will commence on Saturday 29th September.
Flu is a highly infectious illness and is easily spread through sneezing and coughing small droplets into the air. Flu can be very unpleasant and symptoms include: high temperature, sore throat, aches and pains and tiredness. Symptoms can last for 1 week or longer.
Flu can be prevented by having a flu shot. This will become effective 7-14 days after having the jab. The best time to get the flu jab is early autumn before flu cases in UK become high.
Some people will be entitled to a flu vaccine free of charge on the NHS. Those with chronic illness, those aged 65 years and over, pregnant women and carers should contact their GP for a flu vaccine.If you do not fall into any of these risk groups we can help.
Vaccination against flu for travel should be considered under some circumstances :
Reduce staff sickness this winter by offering your staff a flu vaccination. If you have a company with 10 or more employees requiring a flu vaccine contact us to arrange an on site visit at your place of work. This service is available from October onwards.
To book your flu vaccine call 01273 749100 or book online
Cost £18 per dose.
Which diseases & illnesses do we cover?
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