Travel Clinic - The Importance of Boosters

There are a number of vaccinations children receive in the UK, but some such as tetanus will require boosters later in life: one of City Docs travel clinics in London and across the country will advise you on the boosters you're due.

There are certain vaccinations everyone should keep up to date with, including tetanus, diphtheria and Polio – but when did you last receive yours? A travel clinic can ensure you're up-to-date.

Travel Clinic: Giving you a Boost

Everyone should be up to date with their tetanus vaccination, tetanus can be a fatal wound infection that is easily safeguarded against with the right vaccination, available at your nearest travel clinic. In fact, you don't have to be travelling to be at risk of tetanus. As a child you should have been immunized against tetanus, but boosters are necessary every ten years.

Travel Clinic: Tetanus Explained

Tetanus is the result of infection often from a wound that is contaminated. The infection causes muscle spasms in the jaw, difficulty swallowing and muscle spasms in the body. Immunization at a travel clinic can prevent infection. Around 11% of tetanus cases are fatal, with this highest death rate amongst those who have not had a vaccination. If you are travelling abroad and going to a travel clinic, it's a good time to check you are up to date with your tetanus jab.

Travel Clinic: The Polio Risk

Polio is another booster you need to stay on top of. A travel clinic can advise you if you need a polio booster or vaccine, but the general rules of thumb are:

• All children in the UK are immunised against polio, if you were born before 1958 you need to ensure you have had the vaccination – a travel clinic can help if not. Although, you may be risk-free in the UK there are certain areas that have high polio risk including India and Pakistan.
• If you are travelling to an at risk area, a travel clinic will advise you if you need a booster.

Polio attacks the nervous system and can leave permanent nerve damage, and paralysis of the arms and legs – in serious cases it can be fatal.

Travel Clinic: Diphtheria

Diphtheria can be a fatal throat infection transmitted through respiratory droplets. Again vaccinations are issued in childhood in the UK, but booster vaccines are recommended to those travelling to high risk areas – your local travel clinic will advise you if you need a booster. Diphtheria is common in South East Asia, Africa, South America and the Indian Subcontinent. Booster vaccines are now recommended for travellers to these regions from travel clinics.

Choose CityDoc for all your Travel Clinic needs

At CityDoc, you can book over the phone or walk into one of our travel clinics in London and across the country for a same-day appointment. Don't travel abroad without ensuring that you've had the right vaccinations. CityDoc provides a complete travel clinic service, customized to your individual needs. Our pre-travel consultations are with experienced General Practitioners who will assess the impact of any pre-existing chronic medical conditions on your vaccine requirements. We have the full range of travel vaccines in stock including rarer vaccines such as Japanese Encephalitis. CityDoc is a registered yellow fever centre and is able to dispense anti-malarials directly from our in house pharmacy for your added convenience. Choose from our three travel clinic locations in London and Birmingham for ease of access.