You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you’ll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it’s still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Please book early before you travel, to ensure that you get the appropriate travel vaccination advice.

Speak to your local Health Plus Pharmacists before having any travel vaccinations if:

• you are pregnant
• you think you might be pregnant
• you are breastfeeding

In many cases, it is unlikely that a vaccine given while pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby. However, your Health Plus Pharmacists will be able to give you further advice.

Please book early before you travel, to ensure that you get the appropriate travel vaccination advice.

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised. This may be the case if:

• you have a condition that affects your body’s immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
• you are receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer)
• you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

Your Health Plus Pharmacists can give you further advice.

Please book early before you travel, to ensure that you get the appropriate travel vaccination advice.

When travelling to a foreign country, it’s a good idea to make a list of relevant contact details and telephone numbers in case of an emergency.

You can get travel information and advice for different countries on:

• Travel Health Pro: country information
• GOV.UK: foreign travel advice
• CDC: foreign travel advice

For many different reasons, it’s very common to get sick when traveling. Luckily, there are things you can do to minimize your chances of falling ill and staying healthy during your travels.

Before you travel:

•   Visit your local Health Plus Pharmacy
  Book an appointment at your local Health Plus Pharmacy in cardiff or Pontypool at least 8 weeks before you travel abroad. We can help you understand how to keep your risks low of getting a disease while abroad, and help you work out which vaccinations and antimalarials you may want to consider, depending on things like:
  • Which regions you’ll be visiting
  • What activities you’ll be doing
  • Your age and general health

• Some travel vaccinations may be needed several weeks before departure. Ideally you should see us six to eight weeks before travelling, but we may still be able to help if you’re leaving sooner.

  We offer comprehensive travel vaccinations available which is suitable for adults and children aged two and over. If you need antimalarials, our pharmacist can offer you them as part of this service if they’re suitable.

  Please book early before you travel, to ensure that you get the appropriate travel vaccination advice.

•   Boost your immune system
  Taking vitamin C before boarding your flight can help you boost your immunity to protect you against germs that can easily spread in airplanes. Regular exercise also helps you improve your overall health and stay fit to fight off infections.
•   Pack a medical kit
  In addition to take with you any medical prescriptions you take at home, consider taking some medications for fighting cold symptoms and first-aid items. Mosquito repellent products can also be very important if you’re traveling to areas where mosquitos carry serious diseases such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever.

While you’re away:

•   Drink filtered or bottled water
  One of the most common sources of dietary issues while traveling is drinking water, including ice. While we’ve been encouraged to drink tap water environmental reasons, you can’t always be sure of the purity of the water in all the places you explore. Many areas lack the standards of sanitation that you may be used to in your home country, in which case it’s best to stay safe and drink water from sealed bottles, or use a water bottle with a built-in filter.  It may also be a good idea to keep a bottle by the sink to brush your teeth, and avoid getting ice when ordering your drinks.
•   Be careful with food
  You may feel adventurous and keen on trying exotic foods while exploring a new place, but it’s important to be conscious of the risks. Food contamination is a common cause of traveler’s diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Being careful with what you eat could keep you safe from diarrhea, salmonella, cholera and other diseases. Try your best to consume food that is fresh, cooked thoroughly and/or served piping hot. When it comes to fruit and vegetables, avoid salads that may have been prepared with local untreated water and raw fruit that you haven’t peeled yourself.
•   Wash your hands
  Hand-washing is very important, as traveling exposes you to new environments and a range of different bacteria. Make sure to wash your hands before you eat, and wash them regularly and thoroughly. You can also carry a portable hand sanitizer with you for those times when the bathroom is not accessible.
•   Avoid contact with animals
  Do not touch or go near wild or stray animals, even if they do not seem unwell (animals with rabies may not have any symptoms. Also do not feed any animals, including in zoos or animal sanctuaries. Wash any animal bites or scratches with soap and water and get medical help immediately

Upon your return:

•   Make sure you rest well before diving back into your routine. Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of fluids. Watch out for any symptoms and seek medical advice from a travel health expert if you develop any symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath or diarrhea after your return.

It is considered perfectly safe to administer multiple shots at the same time to travelers of all age groups.

The body is continually challenged by many of the external stimuli called antigens, either inhaled or ingested, and continuously reacts by making antibodies and disease-fighting immune cells. The specific antigens given in vaccines represent only a small portion of the daily stimuli the immune system has to deal with.

Multiple shots will not overwhelm the system and do not cause us to become more susceptible to other infections, like the cold or the flu. As intended, however, they promote the production of protective antibodies or immune cells, or both.

Some shots, including the ones for yellow fever and shingles, contain a live virus and thus can cause mild symptoms for one or two days, like muscle aches and low-grade fevers. While this may make you uncomfortable, it does not put you at risk of getting a new infection.

It is recommended that seeking advice about immunizations at least six weeks ahead of time before you travel, because some must be given in multiple doses and some need time to take effect.

Please book early before you travel, to ensure that you get the appropriate travel vaccination advice.

As well as getting any travel vaccinations that you need, it’s also a good opportunity to make sure your other vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster jabs if necessary.Your GP surgery can check your existing vaccination records.

People in certain risk groups may be offered extra vaccines.

These include vaccinations against diseases such as:

• Chickenpox vaccination
• Flu vaccination
• Hay fever vaccination
• HPV vaccination
• Meningitis B vaccination
• Pneumococcal vaccination
• Shingles vaccination
• Tuberculosis vaccination

Please book and appointment to have a consulatation regarding non-travel vaccinations

You can get your travel vaccinations and other travel vaccinations at your local Health Plus Pharmacy in Grangetown, Llandaff in Cardiff and Torfaenin Pontypool, Wales.

Please book early before you travel, to ensure that you get the appropriate travel vaccination advice.