Doctor and overseas vaccinations

XzavierWalnut

Going to Egypt in November and enquired at my GP about whether vaccinations were needed.
Was advised that they do not provide them anymore and to go to a drop in clinic (I can only find Boots pharmacy).
However, on the Care Quality Commission website, it states that they have to provide some of them.
Anyone have any experience of this?

elsien

It depends what you need and what your GP practice is signed up to offer. 

There isn’t a one size fits all as far as who will provide what. I can remember some years ago the GP doing a couple and having to go private for the rest. 

LinLui

GP travel vaccinations are rarely free anyway.

To be honest,  where are you going? May not even be strictly required. I go every year. I have a few "regular" vaccinations, but most "advisory" aren't really necessary or even useful. Sensible precautions (no ice!) are more effective. 

Ayr_Rage

Where I live in SW Scotland all travel vaccinations on the NHS are provided at a clinic at one of the local hospitals.

You can register online, put in your destination and travel dates and they reply by email as to what is recommended and how to make an appointment, there is no charge in my area.

Suggest you check your local trust's website.

elsien

List here of the basic ones that your GP should do. 

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/travel-vaccinations/travel-vaccination-advice/

LinLui

elsien said:

List here of the basic ones that your GP should do. 

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/travel-vaccinations/travel-vaccination-advice/

If you check behind that page to the links,  most are not free,  and not necessarily required. Having a GP who can do them,  and one that is willing to do them / do them for free are not the same thing. 

eskbanker

For clarity, this is the list:

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

• polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab)
• typhoid
• hepatitis A
• cholera

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

• hepatitis B
• Japanese encephalitis
• meningitis
• rabies
• tick-borne encephalitis
• tuberculosis (TB)
• yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres.

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.

It's worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

Ayr_Rage

@eskbanker, which country is that for?

Scotland is certainly different.

"Your GP is no longer your point of contact for a travel health risk assessment, including travel vaccines"

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/travel-health/travel-health-advice-and-travel-vaccinations/

Flugelhorn

whoever gives the travel vaccs needs access to up to date database advising which meds are needed - I haven't been in practice for a while but this used to be a subscription database. Also used to take quite some time to determine what was needed and a course planned  with some people then deciding that they really didn't want to pay for the more expensive ones offered.
Possible that more practices are now advising people to go to clinics where the treatments can be planned and advised - the practice will probably still give the basic stuff DTP, hep, typhoid, cholera if asked

eskbanker

Ayr_Rage said:

@eskbanker, which country is that for?

Scotland is certainly different.

"Your GP is no longer your point of contact for a travel health risk assessment, including travel vaccines"

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/travel-health/travel-health-advice-and-travel-vaccinations/

It was copied from the .UK page linked in the previous post, and all references within that are to 'UK' rather than highlighting variances between any of the constituent nations.

LinLui

Vaccination for cholera

There's a vaccine for cholera, but most people do not need it.

It's usually only recommended if either:

• you're travelling to an area where cholera is common and you'll be visiting remote places without access to medical care
• you're an aid or disaster relief worker going to an area where a cholera outbreak is likely

The vaccine is given as a drink. For adults, 2 doses (given 1 to 6 weeks apart) can provide protection for up to 2 years.

You need to have had both doses at least a week before travelling.

Information:

If you need the cholera vaccine, you may be able to get it for free on the NHS. Ask at your GP surgery.

MAY be able to get it. Not CAN get it. As I said,  there is more information on the links, and the first page isn't entirely accurate. The GP does not have to provide free vaccination unless they deem the traveller to be at risk  or the requirements apply to the UK as well (eg polio).