Travel vaccinations and medication
It is extremely important you are fully protected when you travel abroad, which is why we provide free travel advice and risk assessment with every vaccination appointment.
For children & adults
Wide range of vaccinations in stock
Complimentary advice & risk assessment
Bournemouth & Ashley Cross
Book a travel vaccination appointment with our highly experienced travel nurse Sarah Pestridge at our Ashley Cross clinic in Poole.
Nurse Sarah is passionate in ensuring all patients are fully informed and protected from diseases which are prevalent abroad. Even if you know which travel vaccine or medication you require, you will receive the most up to date information on how to stay safe and healthy while working or holidaying in another country.
We are proud to be a designated NaTHNaC approved Yellow Fever Centre (YFC) offering comprehensive specialist advice, risk assessment, Yellow Fever vaccination and ICVP certificates (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis).
Our appointments
All first time travel vaccination appointments with Dorset Private GP are booked in with Nurse Sarah at our Ashley Cross clinic in Poole.
If you have already received travel advice and know exactly which vaccines and/or medication you require, we will book you in for the appointment and the nurse will double check you have everything you need to stay safe abroad. Please feel free to ask Nurse Sarah any questions on how to stay healthy overseas including "Bite & Sun Protection, "Travellers Diarrhoea" and "Deep Vein Thrombosis". For young people who are going travelling, Nurse Sarah will also provide advice on personal safety and which foods and drink to avoid.
For people who have not had previous advice or risk assessment, there will be plenty of time to discuss which vaccines you need for your travel itinerary and whether you require any booster vaccines. Vaccinations will then be administered in the same appointment and if a prescription for Malaria or Altitude Sickness is required, then you will be sent an electronic prescription after your appointment. (Please note, it will be a private prescription and the pharmacy will charge you for the medication).
If you require 2nd and 3rd dose vaccinations, you can choose to have these at our Ashley Cross or Bournemouth clinic.
Vaccination prices and the diseases they protect you from
If you have at least one vaccination on the day of your appointment, the travel advice & risk assessment from Nurse Sarah is completely free. You will only pay the cost of the vaccines you have administered. If you would like a telephone travel advice & risk assessment appointment or you do not have any vaccines administered at your face to face appointment, then there is a small fee of £20 for the appointment. If you are booked in as a group of two or more, then the fee is only £10 per person.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Adults - £60 per dose
Children 1 to 17 years - £45 per dose
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Adults - £60 per dose
Children 0 to 15 years - £60 per dose
Typhoid Vaccine
£40 per dose
Ages 2 plus
Hepatitis A&B Vaccine
Adults - £65 per dose
Children 1 to 15 years - £63 per dose
Rabies Vaccine
OUT OF STOCK - £85 per dose
All ages
Yellow Fever Vaccine
£85 per dose - 9 months plus
Certificate Replacement Or Medical Exemption - £48
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
£115 per dose
Ages 2 months plus
Whooping Cough Vaccine
£50 per dose
Ages 3 years plus
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio Vaccine
£40 per dose
Ages 6 plus
Meningitis ACWY Vaccine
£76 per dose
Ages 6 weeks plus
MMR Vaccine
£45 per dose
Ages 6 months plus
Dengue Fever
£99 per dose
Ages 4 years plus
Tick Borne Encephalitis
Adults - £86 per dose
Children ages 1 to 15 years - £80 per dose
Anti-Malarial Medication
Private prescription for all ages
Altitude Sickness Medication
Private prescription for ages 12 plus
Cholera Medication
£87 includes both doses
Ages 2 plus
How to book an appointment
Please click here to fill in the "Travel Vaccination & Medication Patient Form".
You will need to complete a form for each member of your family or the group you are travelling with who requires an appointment at the same time as you.
The form will ask for some important health & medical information and also details of your travel itinerary and whether you have had vaccinations in the past.
Once we receive the completed form(s), we will contact you to book in an appointment with Nurse Sarah at our Ashley Cross clinic as soon as possible.
If you only require anti-malarial or altitude sickness medication, then you will be booked in for a telephone appointment and this is priced at £20 for one person or £10 per person for groups of two or more who have a group appointment. If you require vaccinations as well as medication, then you will be booked in for a face to face appointment and any prescriptions will be issued free of charge.
Please note, you will be sent an electronic prescription code by text and email. You can take your prescription code to any pharmacy and you will be charged by them for the medication. Sometimes, the pharmacy will need to order in the medication
If you have any questions before filling out the patient form above, please call, email or complete the form below. If you contact us by email or form, we will get back to you within 24 hours. Please note, we are not open at weekends and bank holidays.
What is Meningococcal Disease?
Meningococcal disease is a rare but potentially life-threatening illness. The infection can manifest itself in many ways, but the most common forms are meningitis (inflammation of one of the brain layers) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). Symptoms of these forms of the disease are: high fever, headache, septic shock, stiff neck, aversion to bright lights, vomiting and in the case of septicaemia, a non-blanching rash. Urgent hospitalisation is needed to treat the disease and minimise the risk of death and future complications. This bacterium is also known for causing other infections such as pneumonia and ear infections.
The disease occurs worldwide and typically outbreaks in the UK are among infants, pre-school children and young people. Vaccination is not just for travellers; vaccination against this disease is offered to all children in the UK.
The highest prevalence of the disease is found in the “meningitis belt” of Sub-Saharan Africa. Mass gatherings or areas where large numbers of people crowd together pose a large risk for outbreaks. Travellers to the Hajj and Umrah festivals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are required to show proof of vaccination in order to apply for a Visa. Vaccination is also recommended to those travellers going to an area experiencing an outbreak; backpackers; long term travellers with high or close contact with local populations; health workers (including missionaries and aid workers); and those visiting family and friends in endemic countries. Travellers whose immune systems are weakened or compromised will be susceptible to this disease and will be offered vaccination.
Vaccination prior to travel consists of two doses for infants (less than a year old) and a single dose for anyone over the age of one year. Current data suggests that protection lasts for 5 years.
For other meningococcal vaccinations available - see the Health Vaccination pages.
What is Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause a liver infection. Children may present with mild symptoms, but the risk of severe disease increases with age and in people with weakened immune systems.
It is spread through contaminated food and drink; as well as person to person via the faecal-oral route (where the virus from someone’s faeces can inadvertently enter another person's mouth) e.g. from poor food hygiene standards and swimming pools & hot-tubs.
Areas of risk include: the Indian subcontinent, Sub-Saharan and North Africa, parts of the Far East, South and Central America, the Middle East, and some parts of Eastern Europe.
People living and working in the UK can also be exposed to Hepatitis A as part of their lifestyle or jobs – the same vaccines can be given as Health Vaccines as well as Travel Vaccines.
There are several vaccines in the UK and children can be vaccinated from the age of 1 year. After a complete course consisting of 2 vaccines (the second one ideally being administered within 6-12 months of the first); immunity lasts for at least 25-30 years.
What is Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread through contact with contaminated blood or bodily fluids (semen, urine, faeces, saliva). High risk areas of the world are in the Western Pacific & African regions- and some parts of Southeast Asia.
Activities that can increase a persons risk of contracting Hepatitis B are; long stay travel (more than a month) in high-risk areas; unprotected sex with new partners; injecting drugs; having tattoos and piercings abroad; requiring medical treatment whilst abroad; contact sports; and adoption of children from medium to high-risk countries.
Certain occupations are at higher risk of Hepatitis B such as healthcare staff, laboratory workers or humanitarian aid work.
All infants in the UK are offered the 6-in-1 vaccine which contains Hepatitis B protection.
Vaccines can be given at any age and there are a variety of schedules available depending on the time available prior to travel or potential exposure.
What is Typhoid?
Typhoid is acquired by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. They cause very similar diseases collectively known as enteric fever which may present with symptoms such as fever, headache, diarrhoea, constipation, rash and muscle or joint pains. If untreated, serious illness can occur.
Mainly present in low-income areas of the world where food hygiene standards and sanitation are poor and clean drinking water is not widely available with the majority of cases occurring in Asia but cases are also reported in Africa and parts of Central and South America.
The majority of travel related infections in the UK occur in those visiting friends and relatives in countries of the Indian subcontinent (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan).
Children from the age of 2 years can have a typhoid vaccine. One vaccination is required ideally at least 10-14 days prior to travel and protection lasts for 3 years.
What are combined Hepatitis A and B vaccines
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Healthcare Workers: Doctors, nurses, dentists, dental nurses, and hygienists.
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Emergency Service Workers: Police, fire and rescue, and paramedics.
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Care Workers: Staff in residential care homes and those working with people with learning disabilities.
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Laboratory Staff: Individuals handling human blood, tissues, or potentially infected bodily fluids.
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Prison Staff: Staff with regular contact with inmates.
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Other Professions: Morticians/embalmers, tattoo artists, acupuncturists, and cleaners in medical environments.
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Sewage, Plumbers and Waste Workers: Individuals at risk of exposure to raw sewage or wastewater
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Sewage and Waste Workers: Individuals at risk of exposure to raw sewage or wastewater.
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Food Handlers: Workers in high-risk food preparation environments.
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Child Daycare Employees: Staff in close contact with children in nursery settings.
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Laboratory Staff: Those working with the virus.
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Health and Care Staff: Similar to Hepatitis B; those in close contact with faeces or high risk individuals.
What is Rabies?
Rabies is a virus carried in animal saliva and it targets the nervous system and causes progressive damage to the spinal cord and brain, invariably leading to death in unvaccinated individuals. Symptoms usually appear a few days after exposure but some cases have been reported up to a year following exposure.
The virus enters the body via a bite, scratch or lick to an open wound, or if an animal spits or sprays saliva into the mouth, eyes or nose.
A course of Rabies vaccinations can prevent infection and death. We believe every traveller should know about Rabies and understand the risks of not being vaccinated and what to do should they be exposed whilst travelling.
For travellers we would recommend vaccination if you are visiting remote areas where access to medical care is limited and more than a few hours away; for higher risk activities such as motorcycling, cycling and running; and for travellers in areas for more than a month; and for workers in areas where animals are likely to be infected with the Rabies virus.
We can offer risk assessments and advice on Rabies vaccines to travellers of all ages (including children).
There is an occupational risk of Rabies in the UK for Laboratory workers who handle rabies virus; work at Defra sites; are bat handlers and conservationists; and veterinary staff.
What is Yellow Fever?
Yellow fever is a serious illness spread by mosquito bites - present in countries in South & Central America, Africa and Trinidad. For most people it is a mild illness, but some people will develop a serious form of the illness with high temperatures, becoming yellow (jaundiced), internal bleeding and organ failure. 30-60% of people who develop a serious illness will die.
The live vaccine is very effective, and one dose provides life-long immunity. Potential side effects include a sore arm, mild fever, headache, and muscle aches.
Anyone under the age of 9 months or over the age of 60 years; or who is immune suppressed is typically not eligible for vaccination due to an increased risk of serious side effects. Some people cannot have the YF vaccine due to medical conditions.
If you think you may not be eligible for the Yellow Fever vaccine, but you need the Yellow Fever certificate for your travels, or you have had a YF vaccine in the past and lost your certificate, please click on the button called "Certificate Information".
Dorset Private GP is a designated Yellow Fever Centre (YFVC) and can provide information and enhanced risk assessments for vaccine eligibility and Medical Letter of Exemption (MLOE) certificates if vaccination is not appropriate.
Yellow Fever Certificate
To prevent the spread of YF, under International Health Regulations, countries may require proof of vaccination recorded in an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). Also known as the Yellow Certificate.
The YF vaccination lasts a lifetime and if you have had it administered, you are given a completed Yellow Fever Certificate which you will need to show when you visit certain countries.
What do I do if I have lost my Yellow Fever Certificate?
If you had your vaccination carried out at your NHS surgery or at a private clinic, please request a copy of your record to show you had the vaccination administered. We will show this information to one of our YF clinicians and they will be able to provide you with a new Yellow Certificate. This is priced at £48
If you cannot obtain the record to show you have had the vaccination in the past, then unfortunately you will need to have the vaccination again. If you are over 60 or have a certain medical condition, then you may not be eligible to have the vaccination again. Please see below
What happens if I am not eligible for the vaccination due to my age or medical condition?
If the clinician feels the risk of the vaccine outweighs the risk of contracting YF, then they will complete the “Medical Exemption” part of the Yellow Certificate. Please note, for every trip abroad where you need to show a Yellow Fever Certificate, you will need a new entry in the “Medical Exemption” section.
The cost of issuing the “Medical Exemption” is £48.
The live vaccine is very effective, and one dose provides life-long immunity. Potential side effects include a sore arm, mild fever, headache, and muscle aches.
Anyone under the age of 9 months or over the age of 60 years; or who is immune suppressed is typically not eligible for vaccination due to an increased risk of serious side effects. Some people cannot have the YF vaccine due to medical conditions.
If you think you may not be eligible for the Yellow Fever vaccine, but you need the Yellow Fever certificate for your travels, or you have had a YF vaccine in the past and lost your certificate, please click on the button called "Certificate Information".
Dorset Private GP is a designated Yellow Fever Centre (YFVC) and can provide information and enhanced risk assessments for vaccine eligibility and Medical Letter of Exemption (MLOE) certificates if vaccination is not appropriate.
What is Japanese Encephalitis?
Japanese Encephalitis is a viral infection spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, causing inflammation of the brain. The mosquitoes usually bite between dusk and dawn.
It currently occurs in most of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific (including Australia); mainly in rural pig farming and rice growing areas. However, transmission in urban areas and cities also exists.
Most infections are mild and may go unnoticed and therefore unreported. However, one in 250 cases will result in severe illness with inflammation of the brain leading to prolonged hospitalisation and residual problems with the brain and spinal cord. Long term travellers and travellers doing activities such as walking, cycling and camping in rural areas are at heightened risk of contracting this disease.
Vaccination is effective and made up of 2 doses of the Ixiaro Vaccine 28 days apart, licensed for adults and children from 2 months of age. There is also an option to give the course over a week if time is limited before travel.
What is Whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a respiratory illness also known as Pertussis – the symptoms of which include an intermittent, uncontrollable cough (a “whoop” sound is often heard in between coughs) that develops after a few days of cold symptoms. It is highly infectious, is present worldwide and easily spreads from person to person; and in some countries there has been a recent rise in infection rates. Those most at risk are infants under the age of 3 months, pregnant women and some healthcare workers
Protection is obtained from both vaccination and good handwashing measures, along with avoiding close contact with infected people. As with all respiratory infections, transmission rates can be reduced by covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
We consider that the travel risk assessment is an opportune time to check that travellers are up to date with the routine immunisation schedule and can vaccinate travellers who are either non-immunised or who have an incomplete vaccination history. Each traveller is assessed individually.
Pertussis vaccination is part of the UK Childhood Immunisation Schedule and pregnant women are also offered the vaccine. The pertussis vaccine is well-tolerated; some people may experience a mild fever, pain around the injection site and feeling lethargic for up to 48 hours post vaccination. Protection lasts for approximately 10 years.
Some countries such as Australia advise that pertussis vaccination is recommended for family visiting newborns (to prevent the infection being passed on to newborn babies in the light of recent surges in infection rates)- and we are able to provide vaccination for this purpose.
What is the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio vaccine?
Tetanus is a bacteria found in soil and on rusty metal; diphtheria is a bacteria that can affect the heart and breathing system; and polio is a virus that can cause fever, headaches, muscle pain and sometimes paralysis.
The vaccine is a combined vaccine which gives protection against all three diseases and is given to children as part of the National Immunisation Schedule and to adults every ten years.
This vaccination is important for travel as you may be exposed to increased levels of all these organisms in some environments abroad. Some countries require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry to reduce the risk of these diseases in their own communities.
The inactivated Td- IPV vaccination is available for children and adults. Short lived pain around the injection site and muscle aches are the potential side effects following vaccination. Protection from vaccination lasts for 10 years.
What is MMR?
The Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine is a single live vaccine injection that after 2 doses protects against all 3 of these diseases.
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease with potentially very serious complications that is still present in many parts of the world due to poor vaccine uptake in infants and children. However, many adult travellers weren’t vaccinated as children; were partially vaccinated or have not had the disease- so establishing immunity status prior to travel is important. Children travelling to areas where there are high rates of Measles infections can have an MMR vaccine early, from the age of 6 months (this group will need a third dose to ensure long term protection).
Measles outbreaks are currently reported in Africa, the Middle East, India, Indonesia, Mexico and some parts of America. Travellers with no history of measles infection or who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated may be at risk from measles when visiting countries reporting cases, especially if staying with friends or family and mixing with local people.
Mumps is a viral infection spread through coughing and sneezing that is characterised by symptoms of glandular swelling at the side of the face along with a fever and headache. Serious complications can include inflammation of the ovaries, testicles, pancreas and brain. There is no medication to cure mumps.
Rubella (German measles) is spread in a similar way to measles and mumps- via droplet infection. Most people experience a mild illness with cold symptoms and an itchy rash all over the body. If pregnant women contract the disease, it can be serious for the developing baby and cause developmental problems.
The vaccine is very effective at preventing all three diseases and is safe and well tolerated. Side effects include mild swelling of the face or joint pain approximately 6-7 days post vaccination. As this is alive vaccine, people who are immunocompromised cannot have the vaccine.
What is Dengue Fever?
Dengue Fever is a viral illness spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes in Asia, Central and South America, some parts of Africa and the Caribbean. The effects of global warming have contributed to the rise and spread of all mosquito borne illnesses. Determining risk is difficult as not all cases are reported and some travellers will only have mild symptoms. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 90 countries have active Dengue transmission. There is no specific treatment for Dengue but patients with severe illness may need to be admitted to hospital for specialised care.
Symptoms include muscle and joint pains, high temperature, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash. Severe infection is more likely if the person has had a previous dengue infection; or is an older adult, is pregnant, or a child or teenager. A vaccine called Qdenga is available in the UK for adults and children over the age of 6, but currently it is usually people who have had a previous infection who are eligible. If you feel you may have had a previous infection, do contact us to discuss this.
Prevention is good mosquito bite avoidance such as insect repellents; wearing long clothing; and avoiding areas where mosquitoes breed and are most active.
Dorset Private GP can advise on vaccine eligibility and offers telephone consultations, blood tests where appropriate, and advice regarding vaccination. We routinely provide information to all our travellers on all insect borne diseases, recommended insect repellents and bit prevention measures.
What is Tick Borne Encephalitis (TBE)?
TBE is a viral infection spread through the bite of an infected tick or through consuming unpasteurised dairy products from infected animals. Some areas of Central, Northern and Eastern Europe have the disease as well as parts of Russia, the Far East and East Asia (some of the Asian sub-types are associated with more serious infections). High risk areas in these countries for UK travellers are forests, city parks, marshland, riverside meadows and grassland areas. Hiking and camping are examples of activities which may put UK travellers at risk. Reducing one’s risk can be achieved through insect bite prevention measures (insect repellent containing DEET; wearing long clothing; checking for ticks on oneself) and vaccination.
TBE itself usually presents with two separate sets of symptoms. The first (fever, feeling tired, headache, muscle pain) usually occur within the first 2-28 days following exposure. The second set of symptoms usually appear about 2-20 days later (sudden high temperature; inflammation of the brain lining; and a more severe form of the illness).
Bite prevention (insect repellent; removing ticks promptly; long clothing and avoiding sitting on grass and logs; avoiding “raw” or unpasteurised dairy products) and vaccination can prevent the disease. Vaccination is recommended to travellers participating in the activities listed above; along with those working on farming and forestry jobs in endemic areas; and laboratory workers who may be exposed to TBE.
The vaccination consists of 3 doses – the first two usually being administered prior to travel. The vaccine can be given to children over the age of a year.
What is Cholera?
Cholera is an infection caused by a bacterium that causes the sudden onset of watery diarrhoea which can lead to rapid dehydration. It is spread by consumption of contaminated food and drinking water. Primarily associated with areas of high poverty; poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean drinking water. Even today, Cholera poses a global health threat and is endemic in many areas of Africa and Asia. Data on numbers of annual cases are considered inaccurate as countries are not required to report cases.
Whether travellers will have access to safe drinking water is a key part of our travel risk assessments at Dorset Private GP. If you are deemed to be at risk of cholera infection during your trip, there are a couple of vaccination options in the UK. There is an inactivated oral vaccine called Dukoral, suitable for adults and children from 6 years of age- this is 2 doses of a drink that is taken 2 weeks prior to travel. There’s also a live oral vaccine available called Vaxchora, a single dose taken 10 days before travel. This vaccine is not suitable for anyone with a weakened or compromised immune system.