
Travel safe: Book your Travel Health Appointment
Are you planning a trip? Whether you’re heading abroad for work or leisure, a Travel Clinic Appointment is crucial to ensure your health and safety while you’re away. This service is available to everyone, not just our patients, so we welcome anyone in the community who needs expert advice and support before they travel.
What can you expect during a Travel Health Appointment?
Our team will guide you through everything you need to know to stay healthy during your travels, with a focus on vaccinations and preventative care tailored to your destination.
Travel Vaccinations
Different destinations require different vaccines to protect you from diseases that may not be common in New Zealand. At your appointment, we’ll help you determine which vaccinations are recommended or required for your trip, including:
- Hepatitis A & B: Important for travel to regions with high rates of liver infection, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
- Typhoid Fever: Recommended for travel to countries where typhoid fever is prevalent, often through contaminated food or water.
- Yellow Fever: Required for travel to certain regions in Africa and South America, and often needed for entry to certain countries.
- Meningococcal Disease: Often required for travels to Saudi Arabia and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Polio (DTP): Routine vaccines that may require a booster, especially for certain travel destinations.
- Rabies: This is an essential vaccine that can be life-saving when travelling to at-risk areas.
We’ll also review whether any routine immunisations need to be updated before you go.
Preventative Health Advice
In addition to vaccinations, we’ll discuss other important steps to protect your health while travelling:
- Malaria Prevention: If you’re travelling to an area where malaria is common, we’ll discuss options including medication and how to avoid mosquito bites.
- Insect Protection: Guidance on how to prevent diseases like dengue, Zika, and malaria through safe insect repellent use, clothing, and sleeping arrangements.
- Food and Water Safety: Tips for avoiding food-borne illnesses, including which foods and drinks to avoid, how to handle water safely, and how to recognise early symptoms of illness.
- Altitude Sickness: For high-altitude travel (e.g., hiking in the Andes or the Himalayas), we’ll provide advice on what to do if you experience symptoms of altitude sickness.
- First-Aid and Travel Kits: Recommendations on packing a travel health kit with essentials like antibiotics for travellers’ diarrhoea, hand sanitisers, and other useful items.
Why should you attend a Travel Health Appointment?
- Personalised Recommendations: Each trip is different, and the vaccines and preventative measures you need depend on where you’re going, what activities you’ll be doing, and your health status.
- Peace of Mind: By addressing potential health risks ahead of time, you’ll travel with confidence knowing you’re well-prepared for any challenges that may arise.
- Reduced Health Risks: Avoid preventable illnesses that could derail your trip or affect your long-term health.
When to Book
We recommend scheduling your Travel Health Appointment at least 4 to 6 weeks before your departure. This allows time for vaccines to take effect and ensures you’re well-prepared for your trip.
How to Book: Call us at Fifth Avenue or fill in our online questionnaire. Email the completed form to reception@fifthavenue.co.nz and we will contact you with the information provided to book your Travel Health Appointment! We look forward to helping you stay healthy while you explore the world!