Travel Clinic

Our Travel Service

Our travel clinic is based at our Albert Wilde Pharmacy in West View Health Village, Broadway,  Fleetwood. We offer the same service that you would expect from a dedicated travel clinic. We can administer vaccinations and supply anti-malarial medication. We offer tailored travel advice and benefit from stocking a wide range of travel goods such as first aid kits , anti-diarrhoea medicine, travel sickness medicines, mosquito nets / repellents and much more.

Travel Vaccinations and Anti-Malaria Medication

Following an assessment of your itinerary, type of travel and length of stay, we can offer advice on which vaccinations and anti-malarials are most suitable for your trip. More information on the vaccinations and the diseases they help prevent can be found below. If you require any further information about your intended destination and the precautions you should take then please visit the NHS Fit for Travel website



A vaccination is available to protect against cholera when travelling, although most people won't need it because food and water hygiene precautions are usually enough to prevent infection.

Vaccination is usually only recommended for travellers to areas where cholera is widespread, particularly for aid workers and people who are likely to have limited access to medical services.

The cholera vaccine is usually available on the NHS, but this can vary. It's also available through private prescription from a private travel clinic.

The vaccine

The cholera vaccine is given as a drink, where the vaccination ingredients are mixed with water. You should avoid eating, drinking or taking oral medication for an hour before and after having the vaccination.

For adults and children over the age of six, two doses of the vaccine are needed to protect against cholera for two years. After this, a booster is required if you continue to be at risk.

Children who are two to six years of age will need to have three doses of the vaccine. This will protect them for six months. After this, they will need to have a booster if they continue to be at risk.

All the doses must be taken one to six weeks apart. If more than six weeks passes between doses, you'll need to start the full vaccination course again.

Ideally, the vaccination course should be completed at least one week before travelling.

The cholera vaccine isn't recommended for children under two years of age, because it's not clear how well it works in this age group.

Side effects and precautions

After having the cholera vaccine, less than 1 in 100 people will experience short-term symptoms similar to a mild stomach upset, such as abdominal paindiarrhoea and nausea. Severe reactions are very rare.

Most people can have the vaccination safely, but you should tell the doctor or nurse before being vaccinated if you:

  • have a high temperature (fever) or stomach upset
  • are pregnant or think you might be pregnant
  • are breastfeeding
  • have a condition, or are receiving treatment, that affects your immune system

In these circumstances, you may still be able to have the vaccine if you're at a high risk of getting cholera, but your doctor or nurse may need to check with a travel medicine specialist before giving it to you. The vaccination may need to be delayed if you're unwell with a fever or upset stomach.

You shouldn't have the vaccine if you've had an allergic reaction to the cholera vaccine or any of the vaccine components in the past.


What is malaria?

Malaria is a tropical disease which is transmitted by mosquitos. To become infected all it takes is one bite.

Malaria can cause a serious risk to your health, and can even prove fatal, if it isn't diagnosed and treated properly. If you are travelling to high risk areas it is important that you protect yourself against this disease.

If contracted, malaria can present with the following symptoms;

  • Fever

  • Chills and sweats

  • Headaches

  • Muscle pains

  • Diarrhoea and vomiting

Symptoms can appear as soon as seven days after being infected but may take much longer to present.

If the symptoms present and you are in a malaria risk area or have just returned from an ‘at risk’ area medical advice must be sought immediately.

What causes malaria?

Malaria is caused by a parasite known as Plasmodium. Many different types exist but only certain strains cause the disease in humans.

The parasite is passed from mosquito to humans when a bite occurs, this often is more prevalent at dusk and through the night. When the bite occurs, the parasite passes into the bloodstream causing infection.

In what countries am I at risk of catching malaria?

It is not possible to contract malaria in the UK, however 100 countries around the world contain areas in which malaria-carrying mosquitos are present. Affected areas include:

  • Large areas of Africa and Asia

  • Central and South America

  • Haiti and The Dominican Republic

  • Parts of the Middle east

  • Pacific Islands

How can I protect myself against malaria?

At our travel clinic, we have everything you need to protect yourself and stay safe when travelling around the globe.

  • We can advise you on which countries you are at risk of contracting malaria in

  • Speak to one of our pharmacists about some of the simple steps you can take to prevent the bites happening. We can provide simple day-to-day travel advice as well as recommending products such as insect repellents

  • We use the latest guidance to advise on which malaria prevention tablets are best for your travel schedule. We have a range of malaria prevention tablets available and can supply these following a consultation with one of our pharmacists without a prescription and without delay!

Hajj and Umrah Recommendations

The risk of malaria is low in Mecca and Medina and antimalarial prophylaxis is not advised while in either city. However, the journey between them passes through an area of high risk for malaria. The journey takes six hours by road. If it is undertaken during the daytime, in an air conditioned vehicle from which mosquitoes can be excluded, the risk of malaria is very low and it is reasonable to practice bite avoidance only.






Rabies vaccination

You should consider getting vaccinated against rabies if:

  • you're travelling to an area where rabies is common and you plan to stay for a month or more or there's unlikely to be quick access to appropriate medical care
  • you're travelling to an area where rabies is common and you plan to do activities that could put you at increased risk of exposure to animals with rabies, such as running or cycling

Visit your GP or a travel clinic if you think you may need the vaccine. It's sometimes free, but most people have to pay.

Even if you've been vaccinated, you should still take precautions to avoid coming into contact with rabies if you're travelling in an area where rabies is found and get medical advice straight away if you've been bitten or scratched.

A few people may need the rabies vaccine because they could come into contact with rabies through their work. If you think this applies to you, speak to your occupational health department.

Read more about the rabies vaccination.

How to avoid being bitten or scratched


  • dogs
  • bats
  • raccoons
  • foxes
  • jackals
  • cats
  • mongooses

They can spread the infection if they bite or scratch you, or in rare cases if they lick an open wound or their saliva gets into your mouth or eyes. Rabies isn't spread through unbroken skin or between people.

While travelling in an area where rabies is a risk:

  • avoid touching any dead animals

If you're travelling with a child, make sure they're aware of the dangers and that they should tell you if they've been bitten, scratched or licked by an animal. Check them for any wounds if they come into contact with an animal.

For information about areas where rabies is a risk, see:

What to do if you've been bitten or scratched



If this happens while you're abroad, get local medical help immediately. Don't wait until you've returned to the UK.

If you've already returned to the UK without getting medical advice, it's still a good idea to get help – even if it's been several weeks since you were bitten or scratched.

It's unlikely that you've been infected, but it's best to be safe. Post-exposure treatment is nearly 100% effective if it's started before any symptoms of rabies appear.

Treatment after a bite or scratch


Post-exposure treatment involves:

  • cleaning and disinfecting the wound
  • a course of the rabies vaccine – you'll need to have five doses over a month if you haven't been vaccinated before, or two doses a few days apart if you have
  • in some cases, a medicine called immunoglobulin given into and around the wound – this provides immediate but short-term protection if there's a significant chance you've been infected

Treatment should be started as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours of being bitten or scratched.

But it's often safe to delay treatment until the next day if the vaccine and/or immunoglobulin need to be specially ordered in by your doctor.

Symptoms of rabies

Without treatment, the symptoms of rabies will usually develop after 3-12 weeks, although they can start sooner or much later than this.

The first symptoms can include:

  • headache
  • feeling anxious or generally unwell
  • in some cases, discomfort at the site of the bite.

Other symptoms appear a few days later, such as:


Rabies in the UK

The UK has been rabies-free since the beginning of the 20th century, with the exception of a rabies-like virus in a species of wild bat called Daubenton's bats.

This has only been found in a few bats and the risk of human infection is thought to be low. People who regularly handle bats are most at risk.

There has only been one recorded case of someone catching rabies from a bat in the UK. It's also rare for infected bats to spread rabies to other animals.

But if you find an injured or dead bat, do not touch it. Wear thick gloves if you need to move it. Call the Bat Conservation Trust helpline on 0345 1300 228 for advice.

Hepatitis A


Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus that's spread in the poo of an infected person.It's uncommon in the UK, but certain groups are at increased risk. This includes travellers to parts of the world with poor levels of sanitation, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs.Hepatitis A can be unpleasant, but it's not usually serious and most people make a full recovery within a couple of months.Some people, particularly young children, may not have any symptoms. But hepatitis A can occasionally last for many months and, in rare cases, it can be life-threatening if it causes the liver to stop working properly (liver failure).

hepatitis A vaccine is available for people at a high risk of infection.

Symptoms of hepatitis A

The symptoms of hepatitis A develop, on average, around four weeks after becoming infected, although not everyone will experience them.

Symptoms can include:

The symptoms will usually pass within a couple of months.

Read more about symptoms of hepatitis A.

When to get medical advice

See your GP for advice if:

  • you might have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus recently but you don't have any symptoms – treatment given early on may be able to stop the infection developing
  • you think you might need the hepatitis A vaccine – your GP can advise you about whether you should have the vaccine (see below)

Although hepatitis A isn't usually serious, it's important to get a proper diagnosis to rule out more serious conditions with similar symptoms, such as hepatitis C or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).

It may also be necessary to test your friends, family and any sexual partners, in case you've spread the infection to them.

How you can get hepatitis A


You can get the infection from:

  • eating food prepared by someone with the infection who hasn't washed their hands properly or washed them in water contaminated with sewage
  • drinking contaminated water (including ice cubes)
  • eating raw or undercooked shellfish from contaminated water
  • close contact with someone who has hepatitis A
  • less commonly, having sex with someone who has the infection (this is particularly a risk for men who have sex with men) or injecting drugs using contaminated equipment

Someone with hepatitis A is most infectious from around two weeks before their symptoms appear until about a week after the symptoms first develop.

Read more about the causes of hepatitis A.

Vaccination against hepatitis A

Vaccination against hepatitis A isn't routinely offered in the UK because the risk of infection is low for most people.

It's only recommended for people at an increased risk, including:

  • close contacts of someone with hepatitis A
  • people planning to travel to or live in parts of the world where hepatitis A is widespread, particularly if levels of sanitation and food hygiene are expected to be poor
  • people with any type of long-term (chronic) liver disease
  • men who have sex with other men
  • people who inject illegal drugs
  • people who may be exposed to hepatitis A through their job – this includes sewage workers, staff of institutions where levels of personal hygiene may be poor (such as a homeless shelter) and people working with monkeys, apes and gorillas


Read more about the hepatitis A vaccine.

Treatments for hepatitis A

There's currently no cure for hepatitis A, but it will normally pass on its own within a couple of months. You can usually look after yourself at home.

While you're ill, it's a good idea to:

  • get plenty of rest
  • take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any aches and pains – ask your GP for advice about this, as you may need to take lower doses than normal or avoid certain medications until you've recovered
  • maintain a cool, well-ventilated environment, wear loose clothing, and avoid hot baths or showers to reduce any itching
  • eat smaller, lighter meals to help reduce nausea and vomiting
  • avoid alcohol to reduce the strain on your liver
  • practise good hygiene measures, such as washing your hands with soap and water regularly

Speak to your GP if your symptoms are particularly troublesome or haven't started to improve within a couple of months. They can prescribe medications to help with itchiness, nausea or vomiting, if necessary.

Read more about treating hepatitis A.

Outlook for hepatitis A

For most people, hepatitis A will pass within two months and there will be no long-term effects. Once it passes, you normally develop life-long immunity against the virus.

For around 1 in every 7 people with the infection, the symptoms may come and go for up to 6 months before eventually passing.

Life-threatening complications such as liver failure are rare, affecting less than 1 in every 250 people with hepatitis A. People most at risk include those with pre-existing liver problems and elderly people.

If liver failure does occur, a liver transplant is usually needed to treat it.

Hepatitis B


Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus that's spread through blood and body fluids.It often doesn't cause any obvious symptoms in adults and typically passes in a few months without treatment. But in children, it often persists for years and may eventually cause serious liver damage.Hepatitis B is less common in the UK than other parts of the world, but certain groups are at an increased risk. This includes people originally from high-risk countries, people who inject drugs and people who have unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners.


Symptoms of hepatitis B

Many people with hepatitis B won't experience any symptoms and may fight off the virus without realising they had it.


Symptoms of hepatitis B include:


When to get medical advice


  • you have symptoms associated with hepatitis B

You can go to your local GP surgerydrug servicegenitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or sexual health clinic for help and advice.


Treatments for hepatitis B

Treatment for hepatitis B depends on how long you've been infected for:

  • If you've been exposed to the virus in the past few days, emergency treatment can help stop you becoming infected.


How hepatitis B is spread


It can be spread:

  • by having sex with an infected person without using a condom
  • by sharing toothbrushes or razors contaminated with infected blood


Preventing hepatitis B


This includes:

  • babies born to hepatitis B-infected mothers
  • close family and sexual partners of someone with hepatitis B
  • families adopting or fostering children from high-risk countries
  • people who change their sexual partner frequently
  • men who have sex with men
  • male and female sex workers
  • people with chronic liver disease
  • people with chronic kidney disease
  • prisoners
  • people receiving regular blood or blood products, and their carers



Read more about hepatitis B vaccination.

Outlook for hepatitis B



  • 90% of babies with hepatitis B
  • 20% of older children with hepatitis B
  • 5% of adults with hepatitis B


Japanese Encephalitis


Japanese encephalitis is a type of viral brain infection that's spread through mosquito bites. It's most common in rural areas throughout South East Asia, the Pacific islands and the Far East, but is very rare in travellers.The virus is found in pigs and birds, and is passed to mosquitoes when they bite infected animals. It's more common in rural areas where there are pig farms and rice fields. It can't be spread from person to person.

There's currently no cure for Japanese encephalitis. Treatment involves supporting the functions of the body as it tries to fight off the infection. This usually requires the person being admitted to hospital, so they can be given fluids, oxygen and medication to treat any symptoms.


Most people infected by the Japanese encephalitis virus have either no symptoms, or mild, short-lived symptoms, which are often mistaken for flu.

However, around 1 in every 250 people who become infected with Japanese encephalitis develop more severe symptoms, as the infection spreads to the brain. This usually happens 5-15 days after infection and symptoms can include:

  • high temperature (fever)
  • seizures (fits)
  • stiff neck
  • confusion
  • inability to speak
  • uncontrollable shaking of body parts (tremor)
  • muscle weakness or paralysis

Up to one in every three people who develop these more serious symptoms will die as a result of the infection.

In those who survive, these symptoms tend to slowly improve. However, it can take several months to make a full recovery and up to half of those who do survive are left with permanent brain damage. This can lead to long-term problems such as tremors and muscle twitches, personality changes, muscle weakness, learning difficulties and paralysis in one or more limbs.

When to seek medical advice


GOV.UK has information about who to contact when you need immediate medical help abroad. If you're already back in the UK, see your GP.

Your GP or the healthcare professional treating you will ask about your symptoms, where you've been travelling, what you did on your trip and what vaccinations you've had. If necessary, they may carry out a blood test to see if you have an infection.

How common is Japanese encephalitis?

It's very rare for travellers visiting risk areas to be affected by Japanese encephalitis. It's estimated that less than one in a million travellers develop Japanese encephalitis in any given year.


Find out more about the causes of Japanese encephalitis and the countries and activities which have a higher risk of catching the disease.


Preventing Japanese encephalitis

The best way to prevent Japanese encephalitis is to be vaccinated against the infection before you visit a part of the world where there's a risk of catching it. The risk is greater if you're planning to visit rural areas or go hiking or camping.



  • sleeping in rooms with close-fitting gauze over the windows and doors – if you're sleeping outside, use mosquito nets that have been impregnated with an insecticide
  • covering up with long-sleeved tops, trousers and socks

Read more about preventing Japanese encephalitis.



Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious complications and can be fatal.It's caused by a bacterium called Salmonella typhi, which is related to the bacteria that cause salmonella food poisoning.Typhoid fever is highly contagious. An infected person can pass the bacteria out of their body in their stools (faeces) or, less commonly, in their urine.


Read more about the causes of typhoid fever.

Who's affected?




Signs and symptoms of typhoid fever

Common symptoms of typhoid fever include:



How typhoid fever is treated





Read more about treating typhoid fever.

Typhoid fever vaccination




Read more about the typhoid fever vaccination.

High-risk areas

The areas with the highest rates of typhoid fever are:

  • the Indian subcontinent
  • Africa
  • South and South East Asia
  • South America
  • the Middle East
  • Europe
  • Central America
Yellow Fever


Yellow fever is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It's found in parts of Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.There's a vaccine that can stop you from getting it if you're travelling to an area where the infection is found.

Yellow fever vaccination

The yellow fever vaccine is recommended if you're travelling to:

  • an area where yellow fever is found


The vaccine and certificate are only available from registered yellow fever vaccination centres. The jab isn't usually given for free on the NHS and typically costs around £60-80.

The vaccine provides lifelong protection, so you won't normally need a booster dose or a new certificate if you've been vaccinated before.

Read more about the yellow fever vaccine.

Where yellow fever is found

Yellow fever is found in:

  • most of South America
  • parts of Central America
  • parts of the Caribbean

It isn't found in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific Islands.

Some countries near to areas where yellow fever is found may require a proof of vaccination certificate when visiting, even if there's no risk of picking up the infection in these countries.

To find out if yellow fever is a risk where you're travelling to or if the country you're visiting requires a vaccination certificate, see:

How yellow fever is spread

Yellow fever is a virus spread by mosquito bites. You can't get it from close contact with someone who has it.


If you're travelling to an area where yellow fever is found, try to avoid being bitten – even if you've been vaccinated – as mosquitoes can also spread other serious illnesses, such as malariaand dengue.


Read more about how to prevent insect bites.

Symptoms of yellow fever


They include:

  • headache
  • feeling sick or vomiting
  • muscle pain and backache
  • your eyes being sensitive to light
  • loss of appetite and feeling generally unwell

Most people make a full recovery after three or four days.


Up to half of those who get these symptoms die.

When to get medical help



Tell them exactly where you've been travelling, if you think you've been bitten by a mosquito, and what symptoms you have.


Treatments for yellow fever


Most people make a full recovery after three or four days.



Diphtheria is a highly contagious and potentially fatal infection that can affect the nose and throat, and sometimes the skin. It's rare in the UK but there's a small risk of catching it while travelling in some parts of the world.

Diphtheria vaccination




Travel vaccination



Diphtheria is found in many areas, including:

  • Asia
  • the South Pacific
  • the Middle East
  • eastern Europe
  • the Caribbean



How diphtheria is spread


You can also get it by sharing items – such as cups, cutlery, clothing or bedding – with an infected person.

Symptoms of diphtheria

Symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after becoming infected.The main symptoms of diphtheria are:
  • a high temperature (fever) of 38C or above
  • feeling sick
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • swollen glands in your neck
  • difficulty breathing and swallowing


  • pus-filled blisters on your legs, feet and hands
  • large ulcers surrounded by red, sore-looking skin

Get urgent medical help if you have symptoms of diphtheria and:

  • you've recently returned from somewhere where the infection is widespread
  • you've been in close contact with someone who has diphtheria


Treatments for diphtheria

The main treatments are:

  • antibiotics to kill the diphtheria bacteria

Treatment usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Any skin ulcers usually heal within 2 to 3 months but may leave a scar.

People who have been in close contact with someone who has diphtheria may also need to take antibiotics or may be given a dose of the diphtheria vaccination.

Tetanus is a serious but rare condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound.From January to December 2016, there were only four cases of tetanus in England. The number is low because an effective tetanus vaccine is given as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. Most people who get tetanus weren't vaccinated against it or didn't complete the entire vaccination schedule.

How you get tetanus

Tetanus bacteria can survive for a long time outside the body, and are commonly found in soil and the manure of animals such as horses and cows. If the bacteria enter the body through a wound, they can quickly multiply and release a toxin that affects the nerves, causing symptoms such as muscle stiffness and spasms. The bacteria can get into your body through: Tetanus can't be spread from person to person.

Symptoms of tetanus

The symptoms of tetanus usually develop 4 to 21 days after infection. On average, they start after around 10 days. The main symptoms include:
  • painful muscle spasms, which can make breathing and swallowing difficult
  • sweating
  • a rapid heartbeat

When to get medical advice

  • it's a deep wound
  • there's dirt or something inside the wound
Your GP will assess the wound, and decide whether you need treatment and whether you need to go to hospital. Go immediately to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department or call 999 for an ambulance if you develop severe muscle stiffness or spasms.

How tetanus is treated

If your doctor thinks you could develop tetanus but you haven't had any symptoms yet, they'll clean your wounds and give you an injection of tetanus immunoglobulin. They may also give you a dose of the tetanus vaccine if you haven't been fully vaccinated in the past. Tetanus immunoglobulin is a medication containing antibodies that kill the tetanus bacteria. It provides immediate, but short-term, protection from tetanus. If you develop symptoms of tetanus, you'll usually need to be admitted to a hospital intensive care unit (ICU), where you may be given a number of different treatments. These could include tetanus immunoglobulin, antibiotics, and medication to relieve muscle stiffness and spasms. Most people who develop symptoms of tetanus eventually recover, although it can take several weeks or months.

Tetanus vaccination

A tetanus vaccination is given as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. The full course of the vaccination requires five injections, usually given on the following schedule:
This course of five injections should provide long-lasting protection against tetanus. However, if you or your child has a deep or dirty wound, it's best to get medical advice. If you're not sure whether you've had the full vaccination course, contact your GP surgery for advice. It's possible to fully vaccinate older children and adults who weren't vaccinated when they were younger.

Tetanus travel jab

Tetanus is found throughout the world, so you should ideally make sure you're fully vaccinated before travelling abroad. Contact your GP surgery for advice if you're planning on travelling abroad and haven't been fully vaccinated against tetanus, or you're going to an area with limited medical facilities and your last vaccine dose was more than 10 years ago. If you've never had a tetanus vaccination before, you may be advised to have as many of the three initial doses of the vaccine as possible before you leave (there should be one-month gaps between each dose) and complete the full course when you return. If you've been partly or fully vaccinated, a tetanus shot is usually still recommended as a precaution if you're travelling to an area with limited medical facilities and your last dose of the vaccine was more than 10 years ago. You'll be offered another 3-in-1 teenage booster. This additional booster, which also protects against diphtheria and polio, is usually free on the NHS. Read more about travel vaccinations.
Polio is a serious viral infection that used to be common in the UK and worldwide. It's rare nowadays because it can be prevented with vaccination. Most people with polio don't have any symptoms and won't know they're infected. But for up to 1 in 100 people, the polio virus causes temporary or permanent paralysis, which can be life threatening. Cases of polio in the UK fell dramatically when routine vaccination was introduced in the mid-1950s. There hasn't been a case of polio caught in the UK since the mid-90s. But the infection is still found in some parts of the world, and there remains a very small risk it could be brought back to the UK. There's no cure for polio, so it's important to make sure that you and your children are fully vaccinated against it.

Symptoms of polio

About 95% of people with polio won't have any symptoms and will fight off the infection without even realising they were infected. A small number of people will experience a flu-like illness 3 to 21 days after they're infected. Symptoms can include: These symptoms will usually pass within about a week. In less than 1% of cases, the polio virus attacks the nerves in the spine and base of the brain. This can cause paralysis, usually in the legs, that develops over hours or days. The paralysis isn't usually permanent, and movement will often slowly return over the next few weeks and months. But some people are left with persistent problems. If the breathing muscles are affected, it can be life threatening.

Long-term problems caused by polio

Although polio often passes quickly without causing any other problems, it can sometimes lead to persistent or lifelong difficulties. About 1 in every 200 people with the infection will have some degree of permanent paralysis, and others may be left with problems that require long-term treatment and support. These can include:
  • muscle weakness
  • shrinking of the muscles (atrophy)
  • tight joints (contractures)
  • deformities, such as twisted feet or legs

How do you get polio?

You can become infected with the polio virus if you come into contact with the poo (faeces) of someone with the infection, or with the droplets launched into the air when they cough or sneeze. You can also get the infection from food or water that's been contaminated with infected poo or droplets. If the virus gets into your mouth, it travels to your throat and bowels, where it starts to multiply. In some cases, it can also get into the bloodstream and spread to the nervous system. The virus can be spread by someone with the infection from about a week before any symptoms develop, until several weeks afterwards. Infected people who don't have any symptoms can still pass polio on to others. There have been rare cases where polio has been caused by being vaccinated with a live version of the polio virus. This is no longer a risk in the UK because the vaccine used nowadays contains an inactive version of the virus.

Where is polio found?

As a result of routine vaccination programmes, polio has been largely wiped out in most parts of the world. Areas declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) include Europe, the Americas, the western Pacific region and, most recently, southeast Asia. But polio is found in some places. It's still a significant problem in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan, and there's a potential risk of infection in other parts of Africa and some Middle Eastern countries. You can use the country guide on the Travel Health Pro website to check if there's a risk of getting polio in a country you plan to visit.

Treating polio

There's currently no cure for polio. Treatment focuses on supporting bodily functions and reducing the risk of long-term problems while the body fights off the infection. This can include bed rest in hospital, painkillers, breathing support and regular stretches or exercises to prevent problems with the muscles and joints. If you're left with long-term problems as a result of a polio infection, you'll probably need ongoing treatment and support. This may include physiotherapy to help with any movement problems, devices such as splints and braces to support weak limbs or joints, occupational therapy to help you adapt to any difficulties, and possibly surgery to correct any deformities.

Polio vaccination

The polio vaccination is offered as part of the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme. It's given by injection in 5 separate doses. These are normally given at: If you're planning to travel to a polio-affected country, you should get vaccinated if you've not been fully vaccinated before, or have a booster dose if it's been 10 years or more since your last dose of the vaccine. Read more about travel vaccinations. You can also get vaccinated at any point if you haven't been fully vaccinated before, even if you're not travelling somewhere where there's a risk of infection. If you've had polio in the past and haven't been vaccinated, it's still recommended that you get fully vaccinated. There are 3 types of polio virus that the vaccine protects against, and people who have had the infection before will only be immune to one of these. The polio vaccination is usually available for free on the NHS.

Temporary precautions for travellers

As the result of an increase in worldwide cases of polio in early 2014, the WHO issued temporary additional travel recommendations for people visiting countries where polio is found. Depending on where you intend to travel, what you'll be doing there and how long you're staying for, you may now be advised to have a booster polio vaccination before travelling if you haven't had one in the past 12 months. Some of the countries where there's risk of infection will require proof of vaccination before you're permitted to travel elsewhere. If you don't have this, you may be given a booster dose before departing.
Tick Borne Encephalitis
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an infection spread by tick bites. It's not found in the UK, but there's a low risk of getting it in parts of Europe and Asia.

Check if you could be at risk of TBE

The risk of getting TBE while travelling is very low. Ticks that spread it are found in:
  • most of Europe (not the UK)
  • Russia
  • parts of China and Japan
Ticks live in forests and grassy areas. You're more at risk of being bitten if you do activities like hiking and camping. Not all ticks spread TBE. Even if you're bitten, the risk of getting seriously ill is low.
You can check the risks of the country you're travelling toon the Travel Health Pro website.

You can get vaccinated against TBE if you're at risk

Consider having the TBE vaccine if you're visiting a country where the infection is found and you're planning to do outdoor activities when you get there. Two injections of the vaccine can protect you for about a year. A third injection can protect you for about 3 years. You need to have the first injection at least 1 month before travelling.
The TBE vaccine isn't available on the NHS. Search online for a travel clinic that offers it. It costs about £65 per injection.

How to avoid tick bites

Try to avoid being bitten by ticks in places where TBE is found, even if you've been vaccinated. To reduce the risk of being bitten:
  • stick to paths whenever possible

How to spot and remove ticks

Tick bites aren't always painful. You may not notice a tick unless you see it on your skin. Always check your skin and hair after being outdoors.
To remove a tick safely:
  1. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. You can buy these from some pharmacies, vets and pet shops.
  2. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible.
  4. Clean the bite with antiseptic or soap and water.

See a doctor if:

and you get:
  • a circular red rash
Tell them if you've been in forests or grassy areas.

Go to hospital if you or someone else:

  • gets a stiff neck and a severe headache
  • gets pain when looking at bright lights
  • has a seizure (fit)
  • has a change in behaviour – such as sudden confusion
  • develops weakness or loss of movement in part of the body
deckchairs on a beach at sunset

Travel Health

Antihistamines – Itching and inflammation caused by bites can spoil your holiday. Over-the-counter antihistamines, gels and creams can help relieve these symptoms. Some steroid creams may also be appropriate for those nastier bites.

Insect repellent – As well as considering the risk of malaria at your holiday destination and taking appropriate medical advice, other measures to help prevent getting bites in the first place include nets, plug-in repellents and DEET-containing insect repellent.

Rehydration Sachets -  These can be essential to help replace fluids and salts that are lost from diarrhoea, vomiting and the problems associated with too much sun. These sachets help you stay hydrated much better than drinking regular water.

Antibacterial hand gel – When you don’t have access to soap and water antibacterial hand gels can kill germs especially before eating and after going to the bathroom.

Common medications – When travelling abroad you can’t always guarantee the quality of the medication you receive so make sure to pack the essentials, such as paracetamol, in addition to any regular prescription medications that you take.

So, for FREE personalised travel health advice and your travel health essentials, don't delay call us  on 01253 770103 or book here

Colourful Camels in front of the Taj Mahal in India

All the prices for the vaccinations and anti-malarials we offer can be found below, please note the cost is per dose. Some vaccinations require a number of doses for the course to be fully effective. All the information on required number of doses will be given after our initial assessment of your travel itinerary We strongly recommend completing the full course of any vaccination. Incomplete courses may result in reduced immunity and/or reduced length of immunity, however we can administer single vaccinations as part of a course started/to be completed elsewhere.

Vaccination Cost
Cholera £45
Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio £25
Hepatitis A
(course of 2)
Hepatitis A & Typhoid £50
Hepatitis B
(course of 3)
Hepatitis A & B
(course of 3)
(course of 3)
 Typhoid(injection) £25
 Typhoid(oral) £30
Japanese Encephalitis £80
Meningitis ACWY £70
Group B
MMR £25
Tick Bourne
(course of 3)


Yellow Fever
(no certificate)
Yellow Fever
(with certificate)

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Lisa Cottam
O’Briens Pharmacy
Fleetwood Health & Wellbeing Centre
Dock St

T: 01253 770103
E: l.cottam@obrienspharmacy.com


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Lisa Cottam
Main Office
O’Brien’s Pharmacy
Fleetwood Health and Wellbeing Centre
Dock Street

Mob: 07392196057
Tel: 01253770103


Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane


Tel: 0303 123 1113