travel health and vaccinations

[helenearth]

Hi all

we are in the process of bookng a holiday to thailand for next year with the kids

.. and i was wondering where people would generally take their kids (and themselves) for travel vaccinations?, do you use your G.P.? or do you opt for a private travel clinic?

i think you pay at both, and i was wondering whether their was any advantage of one over the other?- and if so -- which private clinics would you reccomend in the Leeds/ west yorkshire area?

thanks in advance

Hels

I go to the gp but don't pay

I answered this somewhere else I think.

I think go to your GP, they should have a travel nurse who comes in probably once a week.

Some vaccinations will be free if the NHS considers them essential. Others will be optional and you'll be charged. So it should be cheaper than a private clinic.

I was given vaccines for China:
Hepatitis A and B (free)
Polio, tetanus, diptheria booster (free)
Typhoid, rabies and cholera - each of these I had to pay for, they were pretty expensive, about £30 per dose and some needed a course of 3 doses.

I paid for them because I was moving here, I think for a holiday all of these would be unnecessary - but the nurse will be able to advise you. Go 6 months before you leave so he/she can plan the right course for you - I went 3 months ahead and was told off for leaving it a bit tight.

Go to GP and go early - as caboodles says, go early because some of the vaccines have to be given ahead of time.

My GP was great. She is from Malaysia though so knows this stuff from experience.

They used to have a full schedule of relevant vaccines in MIMS though - don't know if they still do, haven't had a copy for some years - so GPs should all be able to look up what's necessary for whichever area in the world you're travelling to. :)

If you have a look on the website 'fit for travel' it will tell you what you need including any anti malarials you will need.

thanks very much everyone, very helpful. I will check with my GP first,

I think we also have a Masta travel clinic here in Leeds, has anyone used them?