A new travel vaccination service has been introduced in NHS Forth Valley.

Instead of having to make an appointment at a GP Practice for travel-related vaccines, most local people will now be able to attend a new travel vaccination clinic based at Falkirk Community Hospital as well as still being able to access a number of private travel vaccination services available across Forth Valley.  Some travel vaccines are free on the NHS to protect against diseases being brought into the country.

These include:

• Revaxis (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio)
• Typhoid
• Hepatitis A
• Cholera

As before, the following travel vaccinations incur a charge:-

• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Tick borne encephalitis
• Meningococcal ACWY
• Rabies

Anyone who requires a Yellow Fever vaccination will be directed to a registered Yellow Fever Centre to access this vaccination and those who require a course of treatment to protect against malaria will be given advice and guidance on where to purchase this.

Fiona Coan, Manager of NHS Forth Valley’s Immunisation Team, said: “As part of the Scottish Government’s national Vaccine Transformation Programme, NHS Forth Valley has introduced a new Travel Health Service which replaces the travel health advice and vaccination service previously provided by local GP Practices.

“The Travel Health Service provides a range of vaccinations which are available for free on the NHS as well as number of travel vaccinations which are available to pay for on a private basis.

“Our Travel Vaccination hub is based at Falkirk Community Hospital and staffed by a team of highly trained Immunisation Nurses with specialist experience in travel health and medicine.”

People can check which vaccinations or medications they require for travel by visiting the NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel Website. www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk They can then complete a questionnaire on the Travel Health section of the NHS Forth Valley website https://travel.nhsforthvalley.com to book a vaccination appointment at the new Travel Health Vaccination clinic at Falkirk Community Hospital.

Those who complete the questionnaire will be contacted within 5 working days to be offered an initial telephone consultation appointment to discuss travel plans and arrange an appointment for any vaccinations or medications required. The NHS Forth Valley Travel Health clinic is open from Monday – Friday between 8.30am and 7.00pm for pre-booked appointments.

People are encouraged to book their travel vaccinations at least 6 -8weeks in advance of travel as the NHS Travel Health clinics may not be able to offer the immunisations or medication required at short notice and individuals may be advised to seek advice from a private travel health company.

Several members of the same family can be assessed during the same consultation appointment however each individual has to complete their own questionnaire separately.

Anyone unable to access the Travel Health website can contact NHS Forth Valley’s Immunisation Team direct on 0800 130 3120.

Any non-NHS travel vaccinations required must be paid for in advance by credit or debit card prior to the vaccination appointment as staff are unable to accept payment on the day.