What to Book at a Travel Clinic Before a Summer Holiday
A summer holiday is a chance to relax, explore and enjoy a change of scenery, whether you are planning a city break, a family beach holiday, a safari or a longer adventure. Alongside passports, insurance and packing, it is important to think about travel health.
A travel clinic appointment gives you personalised advice based on where you are going, how long you will be away, the activities you have planned and your individual health needs. You may need travel vaccinations, antimalarial tablets or practical guidance to help reduce your risk of illness while abroad.
Requirements and health risks can vary considerably between countries and even between regions of the same country. Booking early gives you the best opportunity to prepare properly, but it is still worth seeking advice if your departure date is close.
When should you book a travel clinic appointment?
Ideally, book your travel consultation around six to eight weeks before you travel. Some vaccines need to be given as a course over several weeks, while others need time for your immune system to develop protection after the injection. An early appointment also gives time to discuss any prescriptions, check your vaccination history and plan a suitable antimalarial course if needed.
However, do not assume it is too late if your trip is approaching. A travel clinic can still advise on vaccines that may be useful before departure, malaria prevention, insect-bite avoidance, food and water safety, and items to take in your travel health kit. Even a last-minute appointment can help you travel more confidently.
When booking, have as much information as possible about your itinerary. This includes every country you will visit, any stopovers, the dates of travel, the areas you will stay in and the type of accommodation. A resort holiday, rural trek, cruise, backpacking trip and work placement can all involve different health considerations.
Travel vaccines to discuss before you go
Your travel consultation will begin with an assessment of your destination and previous vaccinations. The clinician can review which routine immunisations you have already had and identify vaccines that may be recommended for your trip.
Travel vaccines are not one-size-fits-all. Recommendations are based on factors including destination, length of stay, season, planned activities, access to medical care and your personal medical history. Vaccines that may be discussed include:
- Hepatitis A, which may be recommended for travel to areas where food and water hygiene standards can vary.
- Typhoid, which may be relevant for some destinations, particularly when travelling beyond major tourist areas or visiting friends and relatives.
- Tetanus, diphtheria and polio boosters, depending on your existing UK vaccination record and destination.
- Hepatitis B, which may be considered for longer stays, certain activities, medical work or possible exposure to blood or bodily fluids.
- Rabies, particularly for travellers who may have contact with animals, spend extended periods in remote areas or undertake outdoor activities.
- Japanese encephalitis, for certain travel to parts of Asia and the Western Pacific, especially for longer stays or rural exposure.
- Meningococcal ACWY vaccination, which may be advised for travel to particular countries or required for some pilgrimages.
- Yellow fever vaccination, where there is a risk at your destination or where a vaccination certificate is required for entry.
Bring details of previous vaccinations if you have them, including any travel vaccine records or certificates. It is also important to mention if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, immunosuppressed, have allergies, take regular medicines or have previously had a reaction to a vaccine. This helps the clinician make advice as safe and appropriate as possible.
Understanding antimalarials and malaria prevention
Malaria is a serious illness spread by mosquito bites in some parts of the world. Risk can differ between countries, regions and seasons, so a travel clinic will assess your exact itinerary rather than simply the country name on your booking confirmation.
If antimalarial medicine is recommended, the clinician will discuss the options suitable for you. The best choice depends on your destination, travel dates, age, weight, medical conditions, other medicines and whether you have used antimalarials before. Different tablets have different instructions: some are started before travel, some are taken daily and others weekly, and most need to be continued for a period after you return.
Take antimalarial tablets exactly as advised and make sure you have enough to cover your complete trip and the required period afterwards. If you are unsure what to do after missing a dose or being sick after taking a tablet, seek advice promptly.
Tablets are only one part of malaria prevention. Avoiding mosquito bites remains essential, including in the daytime, as mosquitoes can also spread other infections. Helpful precautions include:
- Using an effective insect repellent as directed, and reapplying it when needed.
- Covering exposed skin with loose, long-sleeved clothing and trousers, particularly from dusk to dawn where malaria is a risk.
- Sleeping in air-conditioned or screened accommodation where possible.
- Using a mosquito net if your accommodation does not provide adequate protection.
- Seeking urgent medical advice if you develop a fever or flu-like symptoms during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area.
Tell a healthcare professional about your recent travel if you become unwell after returning home. Symptoms of malaria can occur after you have left the affected area, so it is important not to dismiss a fever simply as a routine holiday illness.
Travel health advice beyond vaccines and tablets
A good travel appointment is about more than injections and prescriptions. Practical advice can make a real difference to your comfort and safety abroad.
Food and water precautions are particularly important in destinations where there is a higher risk of travellers’ diarrhoea. Wash your hands regularly, consider the safety of drinking water, and take care with food that may have been left at room temperature. Your clinician can advise on suitable self-care items to pack and when diarrhoea, vomiting or fever needs medical attention.
Sun protection matters for all summer travel. Use a suitable sunscreen, seek shade during the hottest part of the day, wear a hat and drink regularly to reduce the risk of dehydration. Children, older adults and people with certain health conditions can be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
If you take regular medication, arrange supplies well in advance. Keep medicines in their original packaging and carry essential medication in your hand luggage where possible. Some medicines have restrictions in certain countries, so check the rules for your destination before travelling. It can also be useful to carry a copy of your prescription or a letter describing your medicines.
Travel insurance is another important part of preparation. Check that it covers your planned activities, existing medical conditions and the places you intend to visit. If you are planning water sports, trekking, motorcycling, skiing or other higher-risk activities, standard cover may not be enough.
What to bring to your travel clinic consultation
Being prepared helps your appointment run smoothly and ensures you receive advice tailored to your plans. Bring or have available:
- Your full travel itinerary, including stopovers and dates.
- Details of planned activities, such as diving, hiking, animal contact or visiting rural areas.
- Your vaccination history, if available.
- A list of regular medicines and any allergies.
- Information about medical conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Details of any previous problems with vaccines or antimalarial medication.
It is also a good opportunity to ask questions. You may want to discuss managing a long flight, avoiding insect bites, travelling with children, storing medication in hot weather or finding healthcare at your destination.
Book your summer travel health appointment
Whether you are travelling for a week in the sun or embarking on a longer journey, taking time to prepare can help you focus on enjoying your holiday. Barnes Pharmacy’s Travel Clinic can provide personalised advice on vaccines, antimalarials and practical travel health precautions for your itinerary.
Book your Travel Clinic appointment before your summer holiday and travel with greater peace of mind.