Travel Clinic Colchester, Boxted and Langham

Your quick and affordable Travel Clinic in and around Colchester

Are you about to embark on your gap year of travel? Are you set and ready for your spiritual journey to Mecca for Hajj or Umrah? Off on a business trip to a more exotic country? Wherever you are going in this world, theDedham PharmacyTravel ClinicColchester is here to keep you safe and protected along your way. In this blog post, were going to talk about why travel medicines and vaccinations are important for your health when traveling, how they work and what you can do to get protected in and around the city of Colchester. Travel health is a very broad topic with plenty of items to cover so we wont be covering every aspect of its realm here. However, if you have any questions or queries on anything related to travel health, then all you need to do is give us a call on01206322109and our trained pharmacists will be happy to help you. Welcome to theTravel Clinic Colchester!  

Why are travel vaccinations important?

When you travel to a more exotic destination, you may be exposed to viruses and bacteria that your body does not have protection against. We call this protection immunity, hence the word immunisations. This may lead to infection and disease, for example,Hepatitis AorYellow Feverwhich will, of course, lead to illness. By having a vaccination, or multiple before you travel, you will develop protection against them. This is extremely important because some of these diseases are often life-threatening.

How do travel vaccines work?

Travel vaccines work in very similar ways to each other and there are plenty of different types that provide immunity against many different diseases. Essentially, youre injected with a solution that mimics the pathogen of the disease. This will then stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies (white blood cells) which are designed to fight off the specific infection. Therefore, if youre ever exposed to the bacteria or virus, then your defense system will kill it before any harm can be done to you.* Ideally, you should get vaccinated at least 21 days (sometimes more for others such as theRabies vaccine) before you travel to your destination. This will ensure that your body has time to produce all the antibodies needed for maximum protection.

How long do the vaccines last for?

This really depends on the vaccine in question. Some vaccines last for a couple of years and some last an entire lifetime.This articlefrom theTropical Medical Bureaugives you lots of useful information about the lifespan of the various vaccines out on the market.

What travel vaccines do I need for my trip?

You might need one, you might need three. You may not even need a vaccine to where youre going. It all depends on where youre staying and what youre doing in the country. TheNHS Fit For Travel websiteis a great resource you can use to help you understand what travel jabs and antimalarial medication youll need for each destination. However, when attending your vaccination appointment, always double-check with the healthcare professional that these are the ones youre going to need. Our pharmacists will do this as standard procedure during your consultation but its always good practice.  

Malaria prevention

Malaria is a very serious condition that affects many parts of the world kills thousands of people every year. It is transmitted primarily by mosquitos which suck the blood from human beings. There arefour kinds of malaria parasitethat affect humans and their prevalence differs in different parts of the globe. Thankfully, we can prevent malaria from infecting us by the administration of certain types of medication. However, the best form of prevention from Malaria is protecting yourself from the bite itself. Have a look at this article which gives you a step by step guide onmosquito bite prevention.

The Dedham Pharmacy Travel Clinic Colchester protecting people in Colchester and the surrounding areas

Our pharmacists atDedham Pharmacyare fully trained to administer travel vaccinations of all types and prescribe antimalarial medication. We also give you thorough, up-to-date health advice and information ahead of your travels so that youre fully aware of the risks involved before you depart. We can serve the populations of: – Colchester – Boxted – Langley – Ardleigh – Lawford – Stratford St Mary – Manningtree – Clacton-on-Sea – Walton-on-the-Naze – And more of the surrounding areas However, were certainly not confined to these areas. If you know youre passing through, then come in or give us a call on01206322109. To begin, please click the following link:

Begin online travel health consultation

We wish you the safest and best travels – THE DEDHAM PHARMACY TEAM – * Please notethat vaccines are not 100% effective at preventing disease (more like 90% effective). Therefore, disease prevention best practice is advised at all times. Pleasehave a look at this articlefor best practice methods and consult your pharmacist for more information if required.