VACCINATIONS
Cholera Oral (Dual Pack – Dukoral)
£55
Chicken Pox
£60
Combined Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B (Twinrix)
£60
Combined Hepatitis A/Typhoid (Viatim)
£60
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio (Revaxis)
£30
Hepatitis A (Avaxim)
£40
Hepatitis B (Engerix B)
£35
HPV (Gardasil 9)
£160 and £460 - 3
Japanese Encephalitis (Ixiaro)
£95
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR – M-M-RVaxPro)
£35
Meningitis ACWY (Menveo/Nimenrix)
£45
Meningitis B (Bexsero)
£105
Pneumococcal PCV
£70
Pneumococcal PVV
£30
Rabies (Rabipur/Verorab)
£80
Shingles (Varivax/Zostavax)
£150
Tick-borne Encephalitis (TicoVac)
£60
Typhoid (Typhim Vi)
£30
Typhoid (Oral – Vivotif)
£30
Yellow Fever
£65
Malaria Prohpylaxis
Atovaquone plus proguanil (licensed for prophylaxis in UK)
Doxycycline (licensed for prophylaxis in UK)
Mefloquine® (licensed for prophylaxis in UK)
Useful Information
Hajj & Umrah Information
Travel Hints & Tips
Atovaquone plus proguanil (licensed for prophylaxis in UK)
Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for atovaquone/proguanil
- Preparations available: Generic and Malarone®. Adult dose is one tablet daily - each tablet contains 250mg atovaquone plus 100mg proguanil. Child doses will be based on weight of the child but again once daily.
- Should be taken for 1 or 2 days before entering the malarious area, throughout exposure, and for 7 days after leaving the infected area. Licensed for trips of up to 28 days but there is no evidence of increased side-effects if used for longer.
- Common side effects - abdominal pain, headache, anorexia, nausea, diarrhoea, coughing and aphthous (simple) mouth ulcers.
- Absorption may be reduced in diarrhoea and vomiting, and blood levels are significantly reduced with concomitant use of tetracyclines, metoclopramide and especially rifampicin or rifabutin. Use with caution in renal impairment.
- The proguanil component can delay the metabolism of the anticoagulant, warfarin, and result in bleeding. Those planning to take warfarin must discuss this with their doctor before starting any treatment.
- Lack of experience in pregnancy and during breast feeding means that it should be avoided in these circumstances unless there is no suitable alternative.
Doxycycline (licensed for prophylaxis in UK)
Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for doxycycline
- Preparations available: Doxycycline (Generic) - dose is 100mg daily.
- Can normally be used continuously for a period of at least 6 months - be guided by your healthcare professional.
- Consider a trial course before departure, if you are using this regime for the first time, to detect if you are likely to get side effects (e.g. for one week). Otherwise doxycycline need only be started just before exposure (e.g. 2 days), continued through exposure and for 4 weeks afterwards.
- When other tetracyclines are being already used for acne this will provide protection against malaria so long as an adequate dose is taken (you can change to 100mg doxycycline per day if your doctor agrees).
- Erythema (sunburn) due to sunlight sensitivity can occur. Use of sunscreens is especially important.
- Heartburn is common so the capsule should be taken with a full glass of water and preferably while standing upright.
- Contraindicated in pregnancy (including one week after completing the course), breast feeding, in those with systemic lupus erythematosus, porphyria and children under 12 years because permanent tooth discolouration can occur.
- Occasionally anorexia, nausea, diarrhoea, candida infection and sore tongue (glossitis) have been reported and rarely hepatitis, colitis and blood dyscrasias.
Mefloquine® (licensed for prophylaxis in UK)
Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for mefloquine
- Preparations available: Lariam® (Roche). Adult dose is 250mg weekly.
- One dose should be taken a week before departure and it should be continued throughout exposure and for 4 weeks afterwards however three (3) doses at weekly intervals prior to departure are advised if the drug has not been used before - this can often detect, in advance, those likely to get side effects so that an alternative can be prescribed.
- Not licensed in Britain for use for more than 1 year
- Nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, abdominal pain, rashes and pruritus can occur.
- Headache, dizziness, convulsions, sleep disturbances (insomnia, vivid dreams) and psychotic reactions such as depression have been reported. These reactions most commonly begin within 2-3 weeks of starting the drug and may be worse if alcohol is taken around the same time.
- Mefloquine is unsuitable for those who have a history of severe liver disease, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, self-endangering behaviour or any other psychiatric disorder, epilepsy or convulsions.
- Caution, and avoid if alternatives are available, in severe renal or liver failure and those with heart rhythm defects. Also caution in those taking digoxin, beta or calcium channel blockers when arrhythmias and bradycardia can occur.
- Although there is no evidence to suggest that mefloquine has caused harm to the foetus it should normally be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy or if pregnancy is considered possible within 3 months of stopping prophylaxis.
Cholera
Cholera is a disease, characterised by profuse, watery diarrhoea, caused by certain toxin-producing forms of the bacteria called Vibrio cholera. Cholera is transmitted by ingesting (eating and drinking) contaminated water or food. It is common in many low-income countries and is largely linked to poverty, bad sanitation and poor access to clean drinking water.
Combined Hepatitis A/Typhoid (Viatim) £60
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio (Revaxis) £30
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that can cause inflammation of the liver. The virus is usually transmitted through food or water contaminated by human faeces or by direct contact with an infectious person. Hepatitis A is rare in the UK with most cases occurring in travellers who have recently visited countries where the disease is common.
Typhoid fever
Typhoid and paratyphoid are infections acquired by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. They cause very similar diseases collectively known as enteric fever and mainly affect low income areas of the world where sanitation is poor and clean drinking water is not widely available. The majority of global cases of disease occur in Asia, but the disease continues to be a concern in other areas including Africa and parts of Central and South America.
Typhoid fever
Typhoid and paratyphoid are infections acquired by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. They cause very similar diseases collectively known as enteric fever and mainly affect low income areas of the world where sanitation is poor and clean drinking water is not widely available. The majority of global cases of disease occur in Asia, but the disease continues to be a concern in other areas including Africa and parts of Central and South America.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is common and mostly affects children, but you can get it at any age. It usually gets better by itself after 1 to 2 weeks without needing to see a GP.
Check if it's chickenpox
An itchy, spotty rash is the main symptom of chickenpox. It can be anywhere on the body.
Combined Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B (Twinrix) £60
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver spread by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It occurs worldwide with highest rates reported in parts of East Asia and Sub Saharan Africa. Higher rates of infection are also found in the Amazon, southern parts of Eastern and Central Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. The rates of infection in Western Europe and North America are low.
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses. They do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer.
HPV affects the skin. There are more than 100 different types.
Japanese encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a viral infection of the brain transmitted to humans by mosquitoes in parts of Asia and the Pacific Rim. The mosquitoes that transmit JE feed predominantly during the night, between dusk to dawn and are prolific in rural areas, where rice cultivation and pig farming are common. However, they have also been found in urban locations.
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine.
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially devastating infection. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis of which there are 6 disease-causing strains called serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y and X).
Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is a rare, but potentially devastating infection. It is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis of which there are 6 disease-causing strains called serogroups (A, B, C, W, Y and X).
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital.
Rabies
Rabies is a viral disease transmitted to humans usually by a bite or scratch from an infected animal (usually a dog). The virus attacks the central nervous system causing, progressive damage to the brain and spinal cord. Once symptoms are present, rabies is almost always fatal.
Shingles
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash. Get advice from 111 as soon as possible if you think you have it.
Tick-borne encephalitis
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection usually transmitted through the bite of an infected tick.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever (YF) is a vaccine preventable viral infection spread predominantly by certain species of day biting mosquitoes. Most people who get YF either have no symptoms or a mild illness and then fully recover.
Meningitis Vaccination for Hajj and Umrah
Every year millions of muslims from around the world travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah. It is a health requirement for the individuals travelling to perform either of these pilgrimages to have been vaccinated against Meningococcal ACW135. The certificate issued at the time of vaccination is a mandatory requirement for the visa application by Saudi Arabia. The Omnicare Pharmacy Travel Clinic can help you fulfil this requirement by providing the vaccination to all ages.
It is important to note, although evidence suggests the conjugate vaccine (e.g. Menveo or Nimenrix) confers immunity for up to 10 years, the Saudi Arabian Government will not accept a certificate this old. Visa restrictions require the certificate to be issued at least 10 days before travel and cannot be older than 5 years. For the polysaccharide vaccine the time is even shorter at 3 years.*
Visitors to Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage are at an increased risk of contracting meningitis A, C, W135 and Y as they are in close contact with a large group of people from all over the world. There is then an increased risk the virus may be contracted and brought back to the UK. A single vaccine reduces this risk significantly.
For more information on Hajj and Umrah, please click here
*Restrictions are subject to change but were correct at time of printing (07/2020)
Travel Hints & Tips
Upset Stomachs
One in five travellers on package holidays will fall ill, usually with a stomach bug/upset. Gastrointestinal illnesses are the most commonly reported travel-associated infection. You can help yourself by –
Washing your hands thoroughly before eating any food.
Using soap and water to wash hands properly after using the toilet.
Only drinking water from sealed bottles, avoiding ingestion of tap water (tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol are okay).
Avoid local dairy products, especially ice cream and cheese.
Fish and shellfish can be hazardous, even when they are well cooked.
Eat only cooked vegetables and avoid salads which may have been washed in tap water (or not at all).
Avoid freshly cut fruit and only eat fruit which you peel yourself first.
Avoid food which may have been lying around for some time (especially if it could have flies buzzing around it)
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
It is extremely important to adhere to safe sexual practices while away on holiday. You want to return from holiday with souvenirs and great memories, and not a sexually transmitted infection. So pack condoms and make sure to always take them with you when you go out. That way you can stay safe and have a great holiday.
Condom Advice
Make sure they packet contains the European Kite Mark which means they have been tested. Remember condoms can be damaged when they come into contact with oil based products such as suntan lotion, baby oil and even cosmetics such as lipstick. Also remember that condoms can be damaged by heat and should always be kept in a cool dry place.
Sunburn
More than a quarter of adults think that getting a sunburn is all part of being on holiday. Exposure to the sun without adequate protection increases your chances of developing skin cancer. Protect your skin by –
Avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day (usually 11am to 3pm)
Use a high factor sunscreen and remember to re-apply regularly.
Cover up with a t-shirt, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat.
Alcohol
Alcohol is generally cheaper when you go abroad and this can sometimes lead to the temptation to drink more. Alcohol and sun can be a very bad combination as they both dehydrate your body. Stay safe by –
Keeping hydrated – drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Stick to the recommended daily alcohol limits.
Avoid drinking alcohol in the full glare of the sun.
Most accidents abroad usually involve alcohol.
Unsafe sex is often blamed on too much alcohol – always practice safe sex by using a condom.
Your travel health consultant will be able to provide more information and answer any questions you might have during your consultation.
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH6 6RH