Travel Health & Vaccinations

Key contact

NHS Borders Vaccination Service                          01896 809 250

NHS Fit For Travel website                                      www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

Visiting another country can put individuals at risk from diseases that may not normally be found in the UK.

Start planning as soon as possible – book your holiday, book your vaccinations

Travellers should start arranging advice and vaccinations as soon as possible after booking their trip abroad, at least 10 weeks before departure date. This will ensure any vaccinations provided take full effect before travelling.  If you are travelling sooner, you will be advised to contact a private travel clinic.

Many individuals travel abroad on holiday, to work, study or live. There are always risks associated with travelling.  The most common destinations for UK travellers are considered low risk but if travelling to certain destinations, specific advice, vaccinations or additional protection, such as anti-malarials, might be necessary.

Getting risk assessed and vaccinated against certain diseases before travelling is one of the most effective things a traveller can do to protect their health abroad.

Some vaccinations are given as a precaution, while other vaccinations may be required to enter a particular country.

NHS Borders runs a weekly travel health clinic in Galashiels Health Centre, offering essential risk assessment, guidance and vaccinations before starting patients start their journeys.

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Step 1

Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website to understand any risks and recommendations associated with your destination(s).

Fit For Travel is a free website that provides up to date health information and advice about how to avoid illness and stay healthy when travelling abroad.

The website has specific advice covering:

• Country/destination specific health risks and recommended vaccinations
• Travel news and alerts
• General travel advice, including guidance about air travel, breast/bottle feeding abroad, staying safe in the sun, cruises and personal safety.

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Step 2

Complete a health questionnaire and return it to NHS Borders Vaccination Service.

If, after reviewing the Fit For Travel site, you identify that there may be risks associated with your destination(s) and you need expert advice, you should complete a health questionnaire.

The questionnaire will be used by a travel nurse to help risk assess your journey and identify whether you need any vaccinations.

Click here to download and print a health questionnaire as a PDF.

Click here to download and print a health questionnaire as a Word document.

To receive a printed copy by post, call the NHS Borders Vaccination Hub on 01896 809 250. Please note this may take 2–5 days to arrive.

Completed forms may be:

E-mailed to Vaccination.BookingHub@borders.scot.nhs.uk

Posted to NHS Borders Vaccination Hub, 7 Tweedside Park, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3TE

Handed to an NHS Borders reception in a health centre in a sealed envelope addressed to NHS Borders Vaccination Hub, 7 Tweedside Park, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3TE.

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Step 3

Book and attend a consultation

Once you return a health questionnaire, NHS Borders Vaccination Hub will be in touch to book an initial travel risk assessment consultation.

You will be seen by a nurse who is fully qualified and trained to give travel health advice and vaccinations.

The nurse will initially review your health questionnaire and carry out a travel risk assessment by talking through your intended itinerary and destinations.

The nurse will provide advice and may recommend certain vaccinations or medications such as anti-malarials.

The nurse will discuss next steps, including booking any follow up appointments to receive vaccinations that require multiple doses.

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Step 4

Book and attend vaccination appointments

If the nurse recommends travel vaccinations, NHS Borders Vaccination Hub will be in touch to book appointments and take any payment.

Certain vaccinations are provided by the NHS at no cost to a patient - hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, polio.

Other vaccinations will be available but at a cost to a patient.

Schedule of fees for NHS Borders patient

Please note there may occasionally be some changes to costs due to vaccine availability.

Consultation & risk assessment	Free
Cholera	Free
Diptheria/ Tetanus/ Polio	Free
Hepatitis A	Free
Hepatitis A / Typhoid	Free
Hepatitis B	£40 per dose
Japanese encephalitis	£90 per dose
MenACWY	£57 per dose
MMR	Free
Rabies	£62 per dose
Tick borne encephalitis	£65 per dose
Typhoid	Free
Yellow Fever	£70 per dose
Yellow Fever Certificate Replacement	£15

 

Malaria

Click here for further information on protecting yourself against Malaria.

  

Frequently asked questions

How can I get help if I have accessibility needs?

For support with accessibility needs, including filling in the health questionnaire, please contact NHS Borders Vaccination Hub 01896 809 250.

 

What should I do if I have existing health conditions?

If you have any underlying health conditions such as diabetes, chronic heart, kidney or liver disease or if you have recently undergone surgery or treatment such as chemotherapy, please contact your GP for advice. Your GP will be best placed to advise you on any risks or requirements associated with existing conditions.

 

Do I have to pay for travel vaccinations?

There is no cost for attending the initial risk assessment consultation.

Certain vaccinations (Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio) are available at no cost to NHS Borders patients but other vaccinations are chargeable to patients as per the schedule of fees.

 

How far in advance should I start my travel health and vaccinations journey?

It’s important to start planning as soon as possible. Usually, it’s best to start arranging advice and vaccinations at least 10 weeks in advance of your departure date.

 

I have been away travelling and have returned unwell...

Please contact your GP in the first instance or NHS 24 on 111.