Being among one of the top developed countries of the world, the United Kingdom has relatively low health risks as compared to many other countries. However, that doesn’t mean that UK residents do not need to take precautions, especially while travelling. Here at Glasgow Medical Rooms we offer travel advice as well as carry out travel medicals and vaccinations. So, whether you are a business traveller or are planning a holiday, we thought it would be good to write a guide to the various travel vaccinations required when travelling to another country.
What Are Travel Vaccines?
The WHO and CDC have recommended certain vaccinations for travellers in the United Kingdom. These vaccinations include Hep A, Hep B, yellow fever, polio, mumps, meningitis, rabies, rubella (MMR), measles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), pneumonia, shingles, and chickenpox. Here at Glasgow Medical Rooms, we offer travellers a friendly and easy-to-access health clinic that takes care of all of your vaccination needs.
Types of Vaccines – (Recommended, Routine, Required)
Live Attenuated Vaccines
These vaccines contain bacteria that have been deliberately weakened, creating a protective immune response in the body. Live vaccines are known for their long-lasting immune response, which is why they are considered to be some of the best vaccines available. The following are some examples of live attenuated vaccines that are available in the UK and can be administered prior to travel.
- Typhoid vaccines (oral)
- Yellow fever vaccine
Inactivated Vaccines
These types of vaccines contain a dead virus or bacteria, or parts of it such as proteins or sugars that cannot cause the disease. While they do not produce long-lasting effects, the inactivated vaccines are able to offer protection even to those who have a weakened immune system. Since their effects aren’t long-lasting, they usually require booster doses.
Subunit or Acellular Vaccines
The majority of vaccines that are used in the UK today are subunit vaccines. These vaccines contain sugars or protein from a particular bacteria or virus which are used to build the defences of the immune system. There are various types of subunit vaccines such as Toxoid vaccines such as the Diphtheria vaccine, Tetanus vaccine and the Pertussis or whooping cough vaccine.
Conjugate Vaccines
The immune system recognises the proteins contained in conjugate vaccines very easily, which helps to generate a stronger immune response. Some examples of conjugate vaccines used in the UK include, Hib vaccine, MenC vaccine, PCV (children’s pneumococcal vaccine), and MenACWY.
Recombinant Vaccines
This type of vaccine is made out of yeast cells or bacteria that are joined with a small piece of the DNA of the virus or bacteria that we need protection against. Some popular recombinant vaccines that are used in the UK include, injected typhoid vaccine.
Which Travel Vaccines Should You Require?
Travel vaccines in the United Kingdom can be divided into two types – holiday vaccines and corporate vaccines. At Glasgow Medical Rooms we can provide you with a range of vaccinations and immunisations to keep you safe during your travels. Some of the vaccinations that are available for travellers in the UK are:
- Cholera Vaccination
- Hepatitis A Vaccination
- Hepatitis B Vaccination
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccination
- Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
- Travel Vaccinations
- Rabies Vaccination
- Tick-borne Encephalitis Vaccination
- Typhoid Vaccination
- Yellow fever Vaccination
Ending Note
A quick tip to roll off with is to be safe while travelling abroad opt for bottled water instead of drinking tap water.
Glasgow Medical Rooms can help you get the vaccinations you need whether you’re a business traveller or backpacking through other parts of the world.
For more information why not visit our website or give us a call on the phone where we will be happy to discuss your requirements.
