Find out about immunisations and precautions you need to take

Our nurses can tell you which travel injections you need or you can find out on the NHS website Fit for Travel

Logo for the fit for travel website

Read carefully "Health Advice for Travellers" which is free from the surgery and Post Offices. This is also available on the web at www.doh.gov.uk  Remember that even if you are fully immunised for the destination you are visiting you need to know about other precautions you should take such as prevention of malaria, hepatitis and tummy bugs.

Are you fit to travel?

When you book a holiday make sure you inform the travel agent of any health problems so that the health insurance company can be informed, otherwise you may not be covered in the event of an illness abroad.

If you are not sure if you are fit to travel discuss it with a doctor. You can get further advice and help from the medical department of the airline, who may be able to make special arrangements for your journey.

See our practice nurse as soon as you can

Make an appointment to see our practice nurse as soon as you have booked your holiday, to find out what immunisations, if any you will need. She will also advise you on protection against malaria and other infections for which there are no immunisations.

Some immunisations are not available on the NHS, so we have to charge for those. Malaria tablets and any other medication you only need because you are travelling, e.g. reserve antibiotics, are also unavailable on the NHS. You will have to have a private prescription for these.

If you are trekking abroad you may need several months to fit in all the immunisations so prepare early.  Visit Trekking Abroad on this site for details of specialist publications on this subject. 

Get your European Health Insurance Card

E111 forms have now been replaced by a plastic card called a European Health Insurance Card. You can apply for this on line at www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers

You can also phone 0845 606 2030 or fill in an application form at the Post Office.

This enables you to get the same benefits as other European Union Citizens if you need medical help in the EU.

When you return

If you become unwell after your trip remember to tell us that you have been abroad. Malaria can develop up to a year after you become infected despite taking all possible precautions to protect yourself while abroad.

See also

• NHS website offering excellent travel advice
  Fit for Travel
• visit our page with details of various help lines
• Back packers look at our page with specialist publications on trekking