Where are people getting travel vaccinations?`

[MrPickles73]

In a rash moment I dared to book a family holiday abroad for Easter (4 weeks time). Apparently we are ok as long as we get the vaccines (non COVID!) 2 weeks before we go..

For it we need some vaccinations (hep A etc). Turns out the nurse at our GP who does the vaccinations is away for 1.5 weeks... Our nearest 2 Boots Travel Clinics are closed for March due to a lack of staff.. Superdrug clinic is full... I have rung another GPs but they won't let me book with them as I am not registered there..

Our nearest walk in travel clinic is a 3 hour car journey each way...

How are people getting holiday vaccinations? Is spontaneity dead?

If I'm lucky when the nurse gets back next week she may / may not be able to order the vaccines (apparently no one else there can do it) in time. Can't wait... Any advice out there (other than start earlier!!)

Unfortunately it seems spontaneity is dead - very sad.
There are travel clinics in most large towns/cities - I am surprised you don't have one nearer!
There was a time when I needed Yellow Fever vacc and my Drs didn't do it - they told me to contact another local Drs that did and I had it there. If I was you I would ring a few more GPs.
Obviously you don't HAVE to have these jabs in nearly all cases, the risk is yours.
Have you checked on the MASTA website - you can search for clinics on there.
Also, when did you last have travel jabs? Some could still be valid.
Good luck!

Where are you and where are you going?

I forgot to say, the risk of the diseases you may be looking to be vacc'd against - the risk depends upon what sort of travel you will be doing in some instances. I presume you have been on the Fit for travel website...

Have you tried City doc?

I have rung 2 other GPs. One doesn't have a travel clinic and the other wouldn't take pity on me as I am not registered with them..

I'm only going to the Middle East not the Congo.. so I don't need anything exciting like Yellow Fever.

Thankyou for the MASTA tip - the nearest clinic is 30 miles away and has availability on the 22nd March.. the world has gone mad..

Do you actually NEED then vaccinations or are they just recommended? I’d risk assess if just recommended (I can’t check if mandatory or not as you’ve not been specific about where you are going)

Our local pharmacy does travel vaccines. May be ring around a few of the pharmacies in your area.

CeeceeBloomingdale they are recommended rather than mandatory. I'm not fussed for myself its more for the children.

Recommended is DTP, Hep A and Typhoid. They children will need Hep A for sure and probably Typhoid and my husband and I Typhoid. I'm assuming all the child vaccines will mean the children are covered for Tetanus?

If you’re based in the midlands, I highly recommend these guys. I’ve used them a number of times for all sorts of vaccinations. Usually very last minute appointments available and they have everything in stock.
www.travel-doc.com/

The risk depends where you are staying, if you’re going native and eating in cafes along the street then definitely have the vaccinations, but if it’s an organized tour staying in good hotels it’s much safer. Even in good hotels check how the food is presented, you can become ill even if you have had the jabs.
Watch out for undercooked meat, eggs, avoid salads, we went to one resort, food hygiene was dangerous, we only ate bread and bananas and drank rum and coke, only one week!.

AutumnIsHere21 we are two and a half hours west of Nottingham but you are quite right they have appts available tomorrow. That's certainly good to know, thank you. I will keep it as back up.

Crazykatie I very much like your approach. We're going 5 star beachy so I am hoping the food will be ok.. but I know to watch out for the uncooked, seafood and ice cubes etc.

Yes, if the kids are fully vaccinated then they are covered for DTP.

GeneLovesJezebel great thanks. As adults we should have tetanus every 10 years?

The kids have had all their normal vaccinations so then they just need Hep A and Typhoid.

And DH needs Typhoid (expired 2015) and Tetanus (had latter in 2008). Hep A he had the booster in 2010 so should be good for 25 years?

I need Typhoid (expired 2015) and had DTP in 2013 so should be ok for 10 years?
I had Hep A booster in 2000 so again should be ok for 25 years?

No, you no longer need a tetanus every 10 years. After you’ve had 5 in childhood , you only need one if you have a dirty wound/dog bite or are travelling somewhere that has poor healthcare.

GeneLovesJezebel ok that's useful thanks.

Then we all need Typhoid and the kids need Hep A as well.

I live in the Middle East and am not aware of any vaccinations you need before coming here...where are you visiting?