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Immunizations - travel vaccinations - Management
What information sources are available regarding overseas travel?
- This CKS topic gives a summary of advice for the immunization of overseas travellers, but it is not intended to be comprehensive or exhaustive. In addition, although the guidance in this CKS topic is correct at the time of writing, prevalence of infectious diseases abroad and guidelines for travel immunization can change in short periods of time. If in any doubt, further advice should be consulted.
- Table 1 gives information on the main sources of up-to-date advice available in the United Kingdom.
Table 1. The main sources of information available on the current recommendations or requirements for immunization for travel abroad.
Information source | Information provided and contact details |
|---|
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) | A useful website on travel requirements, including latest news, available at www.nathnac.org. Telephone advice line for healthcare professionals. Traveller specific advice for those with complex medical histories, itineraries or both. This service is available weekdays 9–12 a.m. and 2–4.30 p.m. Phone 0845 602 6712. |
Travax | Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health website. Registration is required, and there may be a fee for non-Scottish NHS workers. Available at www.travax.scot.nhs.uk. |
Fitfortravel | Fitfortravel is specifically designed for the public and is open access at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. It provides information consistent with Travax. |
Immunization against infectious disease, DH 'Green Book' | Excellent source of information on all vaccinations. Available online at www.dh.gov.uk. |
Health information for overseas travel, 'Yellow Book' | Supplement for overseas travel, especially for a country-by-country guide of vaccination requirements. No longer available online, but a hard copy can be ordered from www.nathnac.org. |
British National Formulary | Updated biannually. Available as a book, compact disc, or online at www.bnf.org. |
Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS) | MIMS has a comprehensive country-by-country list of immunizations required for foreign travel. Updated monthly. Access free on line at www.healthcarerepublic.com/mims. |
Community pharmacists | Pharmacists can provide up-to-date information on vaccine requirements. |
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