Planning an overseas holiday, family trip, business journey or extended stay abroad? Travel medicine is an important part of preparing for your trip.
Different destinations can have different health risks, including vaccine-preventable diseases, mosquito-borne illnesses, food- and water-borne infections and other environmental risks.
Balmoral Medical Practice in Mosman provides travel medicine consultations, travel vaccinations and health advice to help patients prepare for international travel. The practice is also an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination clinic.
What is travel medicine?
Travel medicine focuses on preventing illness and reducing health risks associated with travelling.
A travel consultation can include:
- Reviewing your destination and itinerary
- Assessing your existing vaccination history
- Recommending appropriate travel vaccinations
- Discussing mosquito-borne disease prevention
- Discussing malaria prevention where relevant
- Providing advice about food and water safety
- Discussing health risks associated with your destination
- Preparing medication where appropriate
- Providing advice about local conditions and potential risks
- Discussing international vaccination certificates where required
Travel health advice should be tailored to your destination, activities, length of stay and individual health circumstances.
When should you see a travel medicine doctor?
Ideally, arrange your travel medicine appointment well before you leave Australia.
Balmoral Medical Practice recommends booking 6–12 weeks before travel, where possible. Some vaccinations require multiple doses or need time for your immune system to develop protection.
If your departure is sooner than this, it can still be worthwhile speaking with a GP. Depending on your destination and circumstances, there may still be useful vaccinations, preventative measures or other advice that can be provided.
Which travel vaccinations might I need?
The vaccinations you need depend on where you are travelling and what you will be doing.
Balmoral Medical Practice provides a range of travel vaccinations, including:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Influenza
- Chickenpox
- Meningococcal disease
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Yellow fever
Not every traveller needs every vaccine. Your GP will consider your destination, itinerary, length of stay, previous vaccinations and relevant medical history before recommending immunisations.
Yellow fever vaccination in Mosman
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that occurs in certain parts of Africa and South America.
Some countries have specific yellow fever vaccination requirements for travellers entering or transiting through particular regions.
Balmoral Medical Practice is an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination clinic, allowing eligible travellers to discuss yellow fever vaccination and travel requirements with a GP.
If your itinerary includes countries where yellow fever requirements apply, don't leave your travel health planning until the last minute.
Malaria prevention and travel
Malaria is transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes and occurs in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America and other regions.
There is no single malaria recommendation for every destination. The level of risk can vary between countries and even between different regions within a country.
During a travel medicine consultation, your GP can assess your itinerary and discuss appropriate malaria prevention measures where necessary.
Mosquito-bite prevention can also be an important part of protecting yourself while travelling.
Depending on your destination, this may include measures such as:
- Using an appropriate insect repellent
- Wearing clothing that reduces exposed skin
- Using mosquito nets where appropriate
- Staying in accommodation with suitable screening or air conditioning
- Following destination-specific health advice
What about traveler's diarrhoea?
Traveller's diarrhoea is one of the most common health problems experienced by people travelling internationally.
Food and water precautions can help reduce the risk.
Depending on your destination, your GP may discuss:
- Safe drinking water
- Food hygiene
- Hand hygiene
- Foods and drinks that may carry higher risks
- What to do if diarrhoea develops
- When medical attention may be required
Being prepared before you leave can make it easier to manage common travel illnesses if they occur.
Do I need travel medicine if I'm going on a short holiday?
Possibly.
Travel health recommendations are not based solely on the length of your trip. Your destination, activities, accommodation, season, health history and potential exposure to infectious diseases can all influence the advice you receive.
For example, a short trip involving trekking, animal contact or travel to an area with particular infectious disease risks may require different preparation from a short stay at a city hotel.
What should I bring to my travel medicine appointment?
To help your GP provide destination-specific advice, bring as much information about your trip as possible.
Useful information includes:
- Countries and cities you plan to visit
- Travel dates
- Planned activities
- Rural or remote travel
- Accommodation arrangements
- Previous vaccination records, if available
- Information about previous travel vaccinations
- Relevant medical history
- Current medications
If you know that you require a particular vaccine, mention this when making your appointment. Balmoral Medical Practice notes that some vaccines, such as rabies vaccination, may need to be pre-ordered.
Travel medicine for families
Families travelling overseas may have different health requirements depending on the age of each traveller.
Children, adults and older travellers can have different vaccination histories and health considerations. If you are travelling as a family, discuss the trip with your GP so each traveller can receive advice appropriate to their circumstances.
Travel medicine in Mosman
Balmoral Medical Practice provides travel medicine consultations in Mosman, including travel vaccinations, destination-specific health advice and malaria prevention advice. The practice has access to current travel health and outbreak information to help inform travel consultations.
Travel medicine appointments require coordination between the doctor and nurse, so travel medicine appointments cannot be booked online. Patients should call the practice on 02 8209 3999 to arrange an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I get travel vaccinations?
Ideally, book your travel medicine appointment around 6–12 weeks before your trip. Some vaccinations require multiple doses or need time to provide protection.
Where can I get travel vaccinations in Mosman?
Balmoral Medical Practice provides travel vaccinations and travel health consultations at 148–152 Spit Road, Mosman NSW 2088. The practice is also an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination clinic.
Do I need a travel consultation if I have already had my vaccinations?
It may still be worthwhile. Travel recommendations can depend on your destination, itinerary, activities and how long it has been since previous vaccinations. A GP can review your circumstances and advise what is appropriate.
Can I get a Yellow Fever vaccination in Mosman?
Yes. Balmoral Medical Practice is an accredited Yellow Fever vaccination clinic.
Can I get malaria advice before travelling?
Yes. Travel medicine consultations at Balmoral Medical Practice include malaria prevention advice where relevant to your destination.
Book a Travel Medicine Appointment in Mosman
Don't wait until the week before your flight to think about travel health.
Booking a travel medicine consultation several weeks before departure gives you more time to review your vaccination history, identify destination-specific risks and complete any vaccination schedule that may be recommended.
Balmoral Medical Practice
148–152 Spit Road, Mosman NSW 2088
Phone: 02 8209 3999
Travel medicine appointments should be booked by phone because the practice needs to coordinate the doctor and nurse.
This article provides general travel health information and does not replace personalised medical advice. Travel health recommendations can change depending on destination and current disease risks. Speak with your GP before travelling.
