Travel Health Assessment

This service is not suitable for you if you:

• Are under 17 or more than 70 years of age
• Are making this request for another person (adult or child)
• Are travelling in less than 8 weeks
• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have severe kidney or liver disease
• Have had an anaphylactic reaction to a vaccine (any vaccine)
• Are immunocompromised
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Are taking certain anticoagulant medications
• Have had malaria in the past year
• Require a vaccination for yellow fever

• Where you plan to travel and what activities you plan to do. Travelling in developing countries , especially in rural areas, can bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need additional vaccines.
• Your health. If you are pregnant, have a chronic illness or a weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
• Your vaccination history. It’s important to stay up-to-date with your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in Ireland, they are more common in other countries.

Travel vaccines can be categorised as being:

• Required (legal requirement for entering a country)
• Routine
• Optional (the disease is present in the country but is the risk of transmission may be low)

While travel vaccines can protect against many travel-related diseases, they do not provide 100% protection. It is important to always take general precautions to reduce your risk of exposure to disease when travelling. We would recommend that you check the Fit For Travel guidelines for more detailed information on the area you are travelling to.

Travel vaccinations can now be given by specially trained pharmacists at participating pharmacies nationwide. (please note you will need a doctor’s prescription for the required vaccines to be administered).

Once you complete our online Travel Health consultation, you will be offered the opportunity to book a time to have your vaccines administered in your nearest participating pharmacy.

You can also attend your local GP or a travel health clinic for a consultation and then administration of the required travel vaccinations.

We can send your prescription to one of the following pharmacies that offer the required vaccination services:

-Cavan, Boots Pharmacy

-Clare, Ennis, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Ballincollig, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Bandon, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Blackpool Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Carrigaline, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Douglas, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Half Moon Street, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Macroom, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Mallow, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Merchants Quay Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Midleton, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Mitchelstown, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Patrick St, Boots Pharmacy

-Cork, Wilton, Boots Pharmacy

-Donegal, Letterkenny Main St, Boots Pharmacy

-Donegal, Letterkenny Retail Park, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Balbriggan, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Blackrock, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Carrickmines, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Clondalkin, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Dawson St, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Deansgrange, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Donaghmede, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Donnybrook, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Drimnagh, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Dunlaoghaire Bloomfield, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Harolds Cross, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Henry Street, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Jervis Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Malahide, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Nugrove Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Phibsborough, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Roselawn Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, St Stephens Green, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Swords Pavillion, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Tallaght 245, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Tallaght 319, Boots Pharmacy

-Dublin, Upper Baggot Street, Boots Pharmacy

-Galway, Knocknacarra, Boots Pharmacy

-Galway, Shopping Centre, Headford Rd, Boots Pharmacy

-Galway, Shop St, Boots Pharmacy

-Kerry, Tralee, Boots Pharmacy

-Kildare, Naas Dublin Road, Boots Pharmacy

-Kildare, Naas Monread, Boots Pharmacy

-Kildare, Newbridge, Boots Pharmacy

-Kilkenny, High St, Boots Pharmacy

-Kilkenny, Mc Donagh Shopping Centre, Boots Pharmacy

-Killarney, Boots Pharmacy

-Leitrim, Carrick on-Shannon, Boots Pharmacy

-Limerick, Childers Road, Boots Pharmacy

-Limerick, William St, Boots Pharmacy

-Louth, Dundalk, Boots Pharmacy

-Mayo, Ballina, Boots Pharmacy

-Mayo, Castlebar, Boots Pharmacy

-Mayo, Claremorris, Boots Pharmacy

-Mayo, Westport, Boots Pharmacy

-Meath, Ashbourne, Boots Pharmacy

-Meath, Navan, Boots Pharmacy

-Monaghan, Boots Pharmacy

-Roscommon, Boots Pharmacy

-Sligo, Boots Pharmacy

-Tipperary, Clonmel, Boots Pharmacy

-Tipperary, Thurles, Boots Pharmacy

-Waterford, Boots Pharmacy

-Waterford, Tramore, Boots Pharmacy

-Westmeath, Athlone, Boots Pharmacy

-Wexford, Boots Pharmacy

-Wexford, Gorey, Boots Pharmacy

-Wicklow, Arklow, Boots Pharmacy

-Wicklow, Boots Pharmacy

*Please note: unfortunately, we cannot send prescriptions to a pharmacy that is not listed above at this time.

You should arrange a travel health assessment 8 weeks BEFORE your planned departure, as you may need to start your vaccination course well before you plan to travel. You will want to have enough time to complete the vaccination course recommended.
Many common vaccinations need to be given at least 4-6 weeks before travel.

It will also take a few weeks for the vaccinations to be effective and some require more than one dose.
In some cases, your vaccinations may not be in stock and have to be ordered by your doctor or pharmacist. This can take several days. An early start to the process is important.

• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid

Other routine travel vaccinations that might also need to be considered are:

• Polio
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Rabies

Depending on what region you are travelling to and what activities you will be doing, we may also recommend:

• Anti-Malaria Tablets

1. Past medical history
2. List of your current medications
3. Details of you trip (destination, duration, reason for travel, activities)
4. Details of previous vaccinations (if possible – you can check this with your local GP)
5. Photographic ID

The doctor reviewing your questionnaire may need some additional information. If this is the case, they will send you a message via your secure patient account.

These vaccinations are generally well-tolerated and any side effects that occur are usually mild.

Localised side effects are common:

• Tenderness
• Redness
• Swelling at the injection site

Generalised side effects are uncommon and include:

• Fever (>38°)
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Malaise

Anaphylaxis is a potentially serious adverse event that is associated with the administration of all vaccinations, but this is thankfully extremely rare.

A hypersensitivity reaction of the skin can occur with some vaccinations, particularly after more than one dose (swelling and redness of arm from shoulder to elbow). This usually starts 2-8 hours after the vaccine has been given, and resolves without treatment in time. This is also very rare.

We can arrange prescriptions for oral antimalarial tablets.

These MUST ALWAYS be used in conjunction with mosquito bite avoidance measures. 

The choice of medication depends on where you intend to travel, how long you intend to stay and your medical history. 

There are some potentially serious interactions between these medications and other medicines. It is very important that you let us know all the medications you are taking so we can ensure safe prescribing. 

You should never take any medication that has caused an allergic reaction.

You should not take these medications if you have significant kidney or liver disease. 

Other medical conditions may influence the type of medication you are advised to take such as lupus (SLE), Myasthenia gravis, porphyria, narrowing of your oesophagus or raised intracranial pressure. 

These medications are usually well tolerated .

Dizziness, headache, skin reactions, and tummy upset (diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, heartburn/ indigestion and abdominal pain) do sometimes occur. 

 Some medications will make you more sensitive to sunlight, and therefore your skin will burn more easily in the sun. You should ensure you have appropriate clothing to cover and protect your skin and high-factor sunscreen. 

Women can experience vaginal thrush when taking this, especially for a prolonged time. 

If you develop the following symptoms you should stop this medication and seek URGENT medical advice:

• A persistent headache with blurred vision/ loss of vision and nausea/ vomiting
• A significant & persistent skin rash

For full details please read the information leaflet that comes with your medication before you start it.

Regardless of what medication you are taking, it is essential that you complete the recommended course of treatment.

To reduce the risk of Malaria, you should:

• Avoid mosquito bites, especially after sunset. If you are out at night wear long-sleeved clothing and long trousers
• Use an insecticide spray (such as Permethrin) on clothes as mosquitoes can bite through thin layers of clothing. AVOID spraying insecticide on the skin!
• Spray pesticides in the room (especially beneath bedside lockers and other bedroom furniture), burning pyrethroid coils, and heating insecticide-coated tablets all help to repel mosquitoes
• Use an insect repellent (ideally one that contains DEET) on areas of skin that are exposed
• If you are staying in a place where there are no insect screens, you should strongly consider keeping the windows closed
• Use a mosquito net while sleeping – hint: spray insecticide on your net to further prevent mosquito bites

Vitamin B, garlic and ultrasound devices DO NOT offer protection against mosquitoes bites.

• Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease. There is no vaccination for malaria
• Not all malaria prophylaxis treatments are suitable for all high-risk malaria areas. Check the Fit For Travel site for specific information on malaria in the area you are travelling to
• Things change – the treatment you used for the same area may not be suitable now. Always seek advice for each new trip
• Anti-malaria drug treatments should ALWAYS be used along with mosquito bite avoidance measures
• If you develop malaria symptoms when travelling, or when you return home, you must seek medical attention urgently, even if you have been taking antimalarial tablets
• You remain at risk from malaria up to 12 months after you return from a high-risk malaria zone (highest risk is within the first 3 months). If you become unwell with a temperature within one year of travelling, seek urgent medical assessment and make sure to tell the doctor about your travels

• You will need to bring valid photographic identification (ID) to all of your vaccination appointments. This will be checked by the pharmacist to ensure the details on your ID match the details on the prescription issued via your online account.
• Your pharmacist will tell you more about the service and review relevant parts of your medical history. They will discuss how the vaccination will be given and will give you the opportunity to ask any questions.
• If you have a fever on the day of your appointment, you may be asked to return when you’re better.
• If everything is ok from a medical perspective, and you are happy, you will receive your vaccination. It will be given in your upper arm, so please wear loose-fitting clothing or short sleeves.
• It will be necessary for you to resin in the pharmacy for 15 minutes after your vaccination, just in case you have any immediate side effects.
• What happens next?
  Your pharmacist will advise you on when to make your next appointment, depending on how many vaccinations you require.