NHS Travel Vaccination headache.

Asomodai

Anyone got experience of getting travel vaccinations through the NHS? I am heading to Sri Lanka end of July, I know I should be able to get half the vaccinations on the NHS.

My local GP claims that they do not do travel vaccinations. Can I go to a different GP? Would I need to register to them?

My GP recommended a travel clinic or pharmacy but they don't do vaccinations on the NHS. This is looking quite expensive otherwise! My partner is still with her old GP in a different area and she is able to get them for free.

richardw

Asomodai wrote: »

... I know I should be able to get half the vaccinations on the NHS....

Where's it say that?

Asomodai

richardw wrote: »

Where's it say that?

Just search for NHS free travel vaccinations in Google and it will tell you on the NHS website. I cannot post direct links.

Cholera
Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus booster
Hepatitis A some combined vaccines, such as combined hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Just_a_Girl_2

Next month, NHS England will start reviewing 10 items that it says are “ineffective, unnecessary [and] inappropriate for prescription on the NHS, or indeed unsafe”, which together cost the service £128m a year. The Department of Health is expected to then issue new guidance advising GPs that they are not prescribed.

They include omega 3 and fish oils; the painkiller fentanyl: lidocaine medicated plasters; a tablet used to treat high blood pressure called doxazosin MR; and a drug called tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction, along with gluten-free foods and travel vaccines.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/28/nhs-draws-up-list-of-items-to-be-banned-from-prescriptions

stevie11

OP, Information here http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1071.aspx?CategoryID=67 . Did you mention to the GP that the vaccinations are on the free list or just say you were going away? If you check out the info for Sri Lanka there are others to consider in addition to the 'free' vaccinations. So you may end up paying anyway.

I understand that some GP practices don't charge for the 'free' vaccinations whilst others are now cutting back and charge for the service.

Good luck

814man

Why should the hard working tax paying folk of this country, many of whom cannot afford a holiday, be expected to pay for your holiday vaccinations?
I'm pretty sure that in the overall cost of the holiday the additional cost a a few jabs will be pretty insignificant. Just because you can get paid it for by the taxpayer does not necessarily mean you should.

Nick_C

I've always used Trailfinders for my vaccinations. Their prices are reasonable. Their advice is second to none. Vaccinations are part of the cost of travelling. I wouldn't expect other hard working taxpayers to subsidise my overseas travel.

Other private travel clinics are available.

jackieblack

814man wrote: »

Why should the hard working tax paying folk of this country, many of whom cannot afford a holiday, be expected to pay for your holiday vaccinations?

"Free travel vaccinationsThe following travel vaccinations are usually available free on the NHS:

• diphtheria, polio and tetanus (combined booster)
• typhoid
• hepatitis A – including when combined with typhoid or hepatitis B
• cholera

These vaccines are usually free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country."
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Travel-immunisation/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Asomodai

814man wrote: »

Why should the hard working tax paying folk of this country, many of whom cannot afford a holiday, be expected to pay for your holiday vaccinations?
I'm pretty sure that in the overall cost of the holiday the additional cost a a few jabs will be pretty insignificant. Just because you can get paid it for by the taxpayer does not necessarily mean you should.

Nick_C wrote: »

I've always used Trailfinders for my vaccinations. Their prices are reasonable. Their advice is second to none. Vaccinations are part of the cost of travelling. I wouldn't expect other hard working taxpayers to subsidise my overseas travel.

Other private travel clinics are available.

Considering I have always worked from age 16 til now (31), have always paid my National insurance then I think I have the right to get the vaccinations I am entitled to and paid for many times over. In fact I haven't had a GP in over 8 years until just yesterday. I have never gone on holiday abroad (Did it once for work) the only this is happening is because it is a honeymoon that was paid for from wedding gifts. Tar and brush mate?

That and of course, it is in the public interest that I do get them to prevent possible epidemics when I return.

leylandsunaddict

I've not had any travel jabs for about 9 years. I got them free from my GP but a friend with different GP in the same town had to pay for hers, as I had expected to. I was told it depends what the GP actually signs up to.

If I needed some now I would pay for them. The NHS has far too many calls on its increasingly limited resources without providing people with free vaccinations so they can go on holiday.

DigForVictory

You may find that to get all the shots you need in the time frame remaining, it makes sense to go to a professional travel clinic where while you pay, you know you'll have a full set of shots and up to date medical advice.
Some things need more time - so better to get a paid for prompt service that gamble on the NHS coooperating & getting everything sorted for you.