Travel Medicine

Travel (for travel advice/vaccinations) and Immunisation Clinic

• Travel Consultations
• Travel Medicine Appointments
• Recommended Vaccinations
• Vaccination Schedule
• Common Travel Illness

Travel Consultations

Travelling can be safe and enjoyable if you take time to plan ahead. You should make an appointment and discuss your travel plans with our doctors.

It is important to see us 4-6 weeks prior to departure as the vaccinations may take several weeks to be effective and some require multiple doses.

At your appointment, we provide a comprehensive travel medical consultation and provide you information covering:

• A travel health plan with prescriptions for required vaccinations
• Preventive medications for specific destinations
• Counselling to reduce your risk of illness (jet lag, DVT)
• Simple food and water precautions and high risk activities.
• Resources in case of emergency.

Pre-Existing Medical Problems

More people want to travel in their later years and may have pre-existing medical conditions that require special consideration particularly with regard to the safety of vaccines and their own medical history.

Travel consultation also assists in workplace wellness, preventive, and executive healthcare programs to reduce healthcare costs.

Travel Medicine Appointments

Most travellers will require a Standard Travel Appointment.

The doctor may need to order blood tests or review past immunisation records in order to recommend the most appropriate vaccination schedule.

Please bring all, and any past vaccination records that you have had. Knowing exactly what vaccinations you have had in the past can prevent unnecessary re-vaccinations.

Travel consultations vary in complexity and so does the time required for consultation, so when making an appointment it is best to mention that it is for Travel Health.

Family Holiday

Family holiday travel to common destinations such as Thailand, Bali, Fiji can be accomplished in a group appointment. Each individual needs to be seen in consultation as it is the person and their destination that needs to be assessed along with individual prescription. Only one member of the family pays the full standard consultation fee if all are present. Others are charged the Medicare rebate.

Recommended Vaccinations

Everyone needs to be current with their vaccination status for home, these include:

• Tetanus, measles, chicken pox.
• Hepatitis A is a common worldwide disease and is the most common recommended vaccination It is often administered in combination with Typhoid Vaccine.
• Rabies vaccination is a special vaccine that requires discussion and can offer lifelong protection for a rare but catastrophic disease.

Vaccination Schedule

Vaccinations for common and preventable diseases are both a current and future investment due to the longevity of modern vaccines.

Mandatory Vaccinations

Yellow Fever vaccination is the only vaccination that is mandated by International Health Regulations as a requirement of entry to countries with potential Yellow Fever disease.

Special Purpose Vaccinations

Some countries from time to time, or for special purpose, mandate other vaccinations.

• Travel to many areas requires proper insect protection and sometimes malaria tablets.
• Travel to altitude requires advice and sometimes medication that diminishes the effects of altitude illnesses.
• Travel to Saudi Arabia mandates vaccinations for attendance at the annual Haj pilgrimage.

A common example is travel to South America to visit Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Iguazu Falls and parts of Central America. This requires advice and prescription for Yellow Fever vaccine, altitude illness, mosquito spread infections such as Zika or Dengue and Malaria prevention.

For updates and travel recommendations visit

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
• masta.edu.au
• smarttraveller.gov.au
• App - Google - fit2travel
• App - Apple - vaccine record for travellers

Whilst individual requirements may vary, the standard adult schedules for typical vaccination are as follows (accelerated schedule in brackets):

Extra fees may be made for certain immunisations and vaccinations, which are not covered by the Medicare.

Common Travel Illness

Travellers Diarrhoea

Gastrointestinal illness is the most common illness that is experienced by travellers and is referred to as Traveller's Diarrhoea. Diarrhoea may require the prescription of special medicines either for prevention or treatment.

The risk of Traveller's Diarrhoea can be reduced by taking precautions with food and water. We can assist with the correct advice tailored to your destination.

Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections are very common with travel anywhere and it is wise to have an influenza vaccination before you leave.

Other Common Infections

We can help protect you from: