Travel Health Tips : Vaccinations and Medications for your next trip 

When planning a trip, many eager travellers consult their pharmacist about any necessary prophylactic vaccinations or medications which may come in handy as part of their packing list. Here I’ll be discussing and listing some of the most important things to pack, as well as how to find out if any travel vaccinations or prophylactic medication is necessary for your trip.

Go-to travel essentials

My basic travel essentials include:

• Paracetamol / Ibuprofen (if not asthmatic),
• Basic cold and flu tablets,
• Blocked nose spray,
• Lozenges/throat spray,
• Plasters,
• Diosmectite, probiotics – for upset stomach (diarrhoea),
• Antihistamine cream, and
• any chronic medication you are on to cover your trip, and add 2-3 more days just in case anything delays your return to the island.

For the more adventurous holiday e.g. rafting, or sports

In addition to the basic list, I would add on: bandage of medium size, instant ice pack, anti-inflammatory gel, for any possible muscle sprain.

For the more exotic travel destinations

When travelling to somewhere more exotic, such as South East Asia, Africa, or South America, I suggest giving your pharmacist a call, or visit, and based on the destination, and duration of the trip, he/she can advise what you would need based on CDC recommendations.

What is important to provide is your vaccination record history, which is accessible on myHealth – as this would indicate if you would need any booster shots, or if any vaccination was overlooked in your past. The mot common being: Hepatitis A, B, polio, measle, mumps, rubella, and the meningococcal vaccine.

With these more exotic destinations the list of travel essentials becomes a bit longer, and I would definitely suggest starting probiotics prophylactically from 10-14 days prior to your trip, and continuing for 1 week after to help your gut adjust to the different cuisine it will be exposed to. I would also add on: SPF50 sun protection, oral rehydration salts, and if you are going to be exposed to mosquitos: DEET mosquito repellent and moisturiser.

Depending on the nature of the trip, the list varies, therefore make your first stop your pharmacist, and he/she will advise on the next steps as prescriptions may be needed for some of the necessary medication, such as anti-malarials, altitude sickness tablets (if going hiking up a high mountain), and antibiotics one may want to pack just in case.

…So when planning your next trip, make a pit stop at your local pharmacy for some advice that may save some time, and also illness on your holiday 🙂