NHS programme
Our practice is able to offer free travel vaccinations under the NHS programme.
Details of which vaccines are offered free by the NHS are on the NHS online guide.
Depending on where you are travelling to, you might need some travel vaccines that are not included in the NHS programme. You will need to contact a private travel service if this is the case.
If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.
When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?
The most important thing to bear in mind about travel vaccinations is the importance of forward planning. The advice on NHS website is that you should contact your GP at least eight weeks before your travel date.
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Hepatitis B Vaccination
Please note that Hepatitis B vaccination for occupational health purposes is not provided free of charge on the NHS and we don’t provide it privately to patients.
Travel Health Questionnaire
To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out the online form before coming to see the nurse.
Travelling in Europe
If you are travelling to Europe the EU has published useful information for travellers on the European website.
Travelling outside Europe
There is further information about countries and vaccinations required on the Fitfortravel website.
Alternative providers
If your travel date is less than 5 weeks away and we can’t provide suitable appointments there are private travel clinics in the Southport area but these do, of course, charge a fee.