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General Vaccinations

As from 1st April 2022 the way travel health advice and vaccination is delivered has changed. The new GP contract means that GP’s no longer deliver any travel health vaccines and the responsibility for this has transferred to health boards.

Where to get Travel Health Advice in NHSGGC

NHSGGC delivers its travel health services via two providers based on the area you live in. One provider for North West Glasgow and another provider for all other geographical areas. Use the drop down menu based on where you live to find the details of the Service for your area.

North East Glasgow, South Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire

This service provides travel health advice, risk assessment and vaccination. If you live in

North East Glasgow, South Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire or West Dunbartonshire then please use contact details below. If you live in North West Glasgow then use the next drop down menu to locate the service details for your area.

North West Glasgow

If you live in North West Glasgow contact the service below for travel health advice, risk assessment and vaccination in North West Glasgow.

Contact

Getting your Travel Advice, Risk Assessment and Vaccination

It is really important that you seek travel advice in adequate time before you travel. Some vaccines take time to work so we would advise you to contact services a minimum of 6 – 8 weeks in advance to allow us to accommodate your needs and ensure you are fully protected before you travel.

We are not able to offer appointments for NHS vaccines less than 7 days in advance of travel unless this is due to an emergency. To accommodate travel in less than 7 days then appointment can be made privately with one of our providers or another provider of your choosing.

Costs and Payment

Please note that some vaccines and services are chargeable. There are 4 vaccines available on the NHS for which there is no charge: Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio (DPT), Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Cholera. 

You will be offered these vaccines based on the recommendations and your individual risk assessment for the country you are travelling to and the type of travel you are undertaking.

Other travel vaccinations are provided at a cost to the traveller. Our providers will discuss these costs fully with you and you can decide to have these vaccines from one of our providers or a private provider of your choice. E.g. Malaria Prescription, Yellow Fever Vaccination.

You can find local travel clinics via the NHS inform website.

Search NHS inform

Travelling Abroad

Many of us travel abroad particularly now that Covid restrictions have been lifted. There has been a significant increase in travelling over the last decade or so with many of us travelling to more far flung destinations and as a result there has been an increase in travel relation illness and death which is preventable. Before you contact either of our providers it is important that you check out the information below. Fit for Travel has a wealth of information to make your plans easier and prepare for safe travel whilst enjoying your travel whether that is business or pleasure. It is important that you get the right advice at the right time and at the right place before you travel.

To find out more about the vaccinations you may require, visit the Fit for Travel website

Vaccination and disease advice by location

Search destinations for vaccination advice
Search for disease prevention advice

Further travel advice

NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel website
NHS Inform Travel and Vaccination Guide
Foreign and Commonwealth Office

As from 1st April 2022 the way vaccination is delivered has changed. The new GP contract means that GP’s no longer deliver any vaccinations (both children and adults) and the responsibility for this has transferred to health boards.

Childhood Vaccinations

Our childhood teams deliver all our vaccinations to children 0-6, primary and secondary school children. This covers the age range of 0-18 years. Babies and children age 0-6 will be appointed and you as parent or carer will receive an appointment through the post to attend your local community clinic for your child’s vaccination. The appointment letter will also provide you with a telephone number to reschedule your appointment if required.

Primary and Secondary school children will be vaccinated in school. Children will be provided with a consent form for you as a parent/carer to sign and the school will send information to you on the Vaccinations taking place. If your child is off sick on the day of vaccination the school’s team will ensure your child is vaccinated if consent is in place. To facilitate this the team will ensure they are included in the future vaccination programme. This may be within the next school term or following school year group depending on the vaccination being given,

If your child is home schooled and has missed out on any vaccinations and you with them to be vaccinated. Then please ask your GP Practice to refer you to the Child Vaccination Team for this. On receipt of the referral the team will be in touch with you to arrange this.

Adult Vaccinations

Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Pneumococcus). The Pneumococal Vaccine PPV23 is offered to all adults aged 65 and over. NHS GGC is responsible for organising Penumococcal Vaccination for its population aged 65 and over. NHS GGC will locally contact individuals eligible for the Pneumococcal Vaccination. There is no need to do anything to receive your vaccine and your will be called to your appointment automatically.

Shingles

Shingles is caused by a virus known as latent Varicella Zoster. The primary infection usually occurs in childhood and causes Chickenpox (Varicella). Shingles Vaccination is recommended for those aged 70 -79. NHS GGC is responsible for organising Shingles Vaccination for their population. NHS GGC will locally contact individuals eligible for Shingles Vaccination. There is no need to do anything to receive your vaccine and you will be called for your appointment automatically.

Pregnant Women

During pregnancy women are offered seasonal flu vaccine (Sept to March) together with Pertussis Vaccine at 16 weeks of pregnancy (Whooping Cough). This is delivered to all pregnant women through Maternity Services. If you think you may have missed this then please speak to your Midwife.

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection. The risk of catching Monkeypox in Scotland is low. Anyone can get Monkeypox though most cases in the UK and Europe have been in Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have sex with Men (GBMSM).

You can catch Monkeypox through close personal contact with someone who has the infection such as during sex.

More information on how you can catch Monkeypox and the symptoms of Monkeypox can be found on NHS Inform: Monkeypox | NHS inform

Monkeypox Vaccine Information

Monkeypox is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes Smallpox.  Vaccines designed for Smallpox are also considered effective against Monkeypox. The Vaccine used is called Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA).  The brand name is Imvanex. The vaccine helps the immune system to produce antibodies against the smallpox virus. This means the body makes its own protection to the virus.  MVA vaccines do not contain the smallpox virus. They cannot spread or cause smallpox. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommend the MVA vaccine to help prevent monkeypox. .  Below is a link to the leaflet about the Vaccine:  Imvanex – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage | Patient info (patient-info.co.uk)

Pre exposure vaccination against Monkeypox

As part of the national vaccination programme NHS GGC is offering pre-exposure vaccination for those at highest risk to help break transmission. Those meeting certain criteria may be contacted by NHSGGC or through Sandyford and invited for an appointment to discuss vaccination. Please note there is currently a limited supply of existing MVA vaccine and therefore it is being offered to those at highest risk first.

There is information available on the Sandyford website regarding pre-exposure vaccination against Monkeypox. https://www.sandyford.scot/monkeypox-information/

Post exposure vaccination against Monkeypox

If you have been identified by a confirmed case as a close contact you will be contacted by Public Health. Post exposure vaccination is most effective if given with 4 days from exposure, but can be given up to 14 days in some situations. Therefore the time frame from exposure and your type of exposure requires to be risk assessed and you may be offered post exposure vaccination.

No vaccine is 100% effective so you should still take precautions against Monkeypox even if you are vaccinated.

For further information on how you can help protect yourself please visit NHS Inform: Monkeypox | NHS inform

https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/13468/2022-07-25-vaccination-to-help-protect-against-monkeypox-v2.pdf

https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/14312/2022-07-25-waiting-for-the-monkeypox-vaccination-v1.pdf

Also included on the NHS Inform page is a digital version of the PIL

https://patient-info.co.uk/imvanex-70376/patient-leaflet

All Other Vaccines

During Adult life sometimes we require other vaccines or repeated courses of vaccines if you have undergone or are about to undergo a transplant, chemotherapy or have been exposed to a blood borne virus or had a dog or human bite. These Vaccinations will be arranged via your Consultant or GP. You may also require a vaccine as you missed some vaccines during childhood. Your GP or Consultant will refer you for any vaccinations required. The Vaccination Service will arrange for the vaccines required and contact you with an appointment. We will do this on receipt of your referral. Those about to or undergoing treatment or who have been exposed to a blood borne virus will be prioritised over routine referrals. You do not need to do anything to receive your vaccination our contact centre will be in touch with an appointment.

Overseas Travel Vaccinations
COVID-19 Vaccinations