Planning a family holiday abroad is exciting, planning where to go and what to see but you can’t neglect your travel vaccinations if you want to have a good time.

Many people think that vaccines are unnecessary, but they’re important to protect your health before you travel. It’s always far better to over prepare than face becoming unwell abroad or catching an illness that will impact your health long after your holiday is over.
At Croyland Pharmacy, we understand the importance of travelling safely and are here to guide you through essential preparations, from vaccinations to practical travel health advice.

When you book your appointment you’ll have a consultation with one of our travel clinic pharmacists who will look over your itinerary and create a tailored vaccine schedule just for you and your family.

Vaccinations for Popular Destinations

Different countries pose various health risks, and certain vaccinations are recommended to protect against local diseases. If you’re travelling to one of these popular destinations this summer, here’s what you should know!

Spain: Generally, no special vaccinations are required for Spain beyond the routine UK immunisations. However, it’s wise to ensure that your standard vaccinations, such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and polio), are up to date.

Turkey: In addition to routine vaccinations, it’s advisable to consider hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines, as these diseases can be contracted through contaminated food or water. Whether or not you’ll need these vaccines will depend on which part of Turkey you’re travelling to and your planned activities.

Egypt: Travellers to Egypt should consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies, especially if you plan to visit rural areas, come into contact with animals or are planning an extended stay.

India: A range of vaccinations are recommended depending on where you’re planning on visiting, including hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies, and Japanese encephalitis. We may also recommend malaria prevention depending on your specific travel itinerary.

In every case we recommend bringing your travel plans along with you to your travel clinic appointment. This will help our pharmacy team put together a vaccine plan that covers you for your whole holiday and helps you comply with any local vaccine requirements.

For example, if you’re travelling somewhere that has a requirement for the yellow fever vaccine we’ll make sure you’re covered and have any documents you’ll need for entry.

Best Practices for Food and Drink While Travelling

Being cautious with food and drink can prevent many travel-related illnesses. Depedning on your travel plans and what you’ll be doing it’s important to keep an eye of food safety to protect yourself while you travel.

Best practice is to always opt for bottled or purified water and avoid ice in drinks, as it may be made from tap water. Stick to freshly cooked, hot meals. Be cautious with street food; while it looks tempting, it may not always meet hygiene standards. Choose fruits you can peel yourself, like bananas or oranges. Raw salads and unpeeled fruits might have been washed in unsafe water.

Avoiding Mosquitoes While Travelling

Mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. To reduce your risk use repellents while you travel. We recommend applying insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin regularly.
While insect repellent does help, where possible wear protective clothing as well. Wear long sleeves and trousers, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

In high-risk areas, sleep under a mosquito net, preferably one treated with insecticide for protection while you sleep and can’t be aware of exposed skin.

Travelling with Prescription Medication

If you require regular medication bring enough medication to last your trip, plus a little extra in case of delays. We recommend travelling with prescription medication in your carry on, this not only protects it from temperature changes in the hold but makes sure you have it with you when you land in case your luggage is lost.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor detailing your medication and condition in case you need help abroad and check regulations before you travel. Some countries have strict rules about certain medications. Verify that your prescriptions are legal at your destination.

At Croyland Pharmacy, we’re committed to helping you travel safely. Our travel clinic in Wellingborough provides comprehensive services, including vaccinations, health advice, and assistance with travel health preparations. Whether you’re in Wellingborough or Northampton, our team is here to support your travel health needs.

For personalised advice and to book your travel vaccinations, visit our website or contact us directly. Let’s make your summer travels safe and enjoyable!