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Hepatitis A & B vaccine shortage: How to stay safe when travelling to a country when the vaccine is not available
As many people will be aware, there is currently a national shortage of the Hepatitis A and B vaccines. As clinics around the country run out of stock, this can leave many travellers feeling at risk as they prepare to travel abroad. Earlier this year, a shortage of both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines was reported in the UK. The situation has continued to worsen and due to serious manufacturing issues, it has now been labelled a global shortage. Hepatitis A and B are acute infections of the liver typically caused by sanitation problems. Areas considered higher risk zones are South East Asia, Africa, India, China and South and Central America, so travelling to these locations is currently particularly risky. With no immediate end to the vaccine shortage in sight, travellers are being advised to take a number of precautions if they are travelling to high-risk parts of the world. Ideally, these should be taken alongside a vaccine, but regardless they are helpful for keeping you healthy on your travels. What precautions can you take abroad to reduce your risk of Hep A and B? Because both conditions are spread through sanitation issues, especially via food and drink which have been contaminated, there are several steps you can take to reduce your likelihood of catching or spreading the infection. Hand washing The simplest and arguably most effective way to reduce your risk of hepatitis is through thorough handwashing. You should always wash your hands after using the restroom, and especially after having any contact with someone who already has either infection. Food and drink awareness You should also avoid unclean food and water, and do your best to ensure the food you’re eating has been cooked and cleaned thoroughly. This includes avoiding dairy products, raw or undercooked meat and raw or undercooked fish. You should also avoid buying food from street vendors, and be aware that sliced fruit may have been washed in contaminated water — travellers should peel all fruit and veg themselves. Heated food should also be hot to touch and eaten right away. One of the most important precautions to take is to only consume bottled water. This not only includes for drinking purposes, but also for use when brushing your teeth. Ice cubes can also carry the infection. If no bottled water is available, tap water should be boiled for at least one minute, as this generally eliminates the virus and makes it safe to drink. Avoiding contact with bodily fluids Travellers should avoid contact with bodily fluids, especially blood. This includes avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse, avoiding tattoos, piercings and acupuncture, not sharing needles or any other injection equipment, and not sharing razors or toothbrushes. By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of catching and spreading both of these hepatitis viruses. With a widespread shortage of the Hepatitis vaccine, it is even more important to take extra care and attention of your holiday health while the recommended vaccination remains unavailable. You should always maintain your holiday health in every way you can, and we want to help you stay safe no matter where you go. Make sure to check out our range of available vaccines and health tips well before you travel abroad. If you have any queries relating to Hepatitis vaccines or any other vaccine, call on 0208 993 5889 and book an appointment at your nearest Express Travel Clinic.
17. Oct 2017
5 Travel essentials you might not think to pack but absolutely should
There is a familiar pang of panic every traveller experiences when they realise that an all important travel item hasn’t made its way into their suitcase. Passports, tickets, travel medication, sun screen, clothes and other personal items are all things that make their way onto our checklists of essential travel items. But there are plenty of other items many travellers do not think to bring on a trip abroad – items that could help get them out of a tricky spot. Luckily, we’ve put together a list of lesser-known travel essentials that you should slip into your suitcase before they slip your mind. Duct tape The phrase, ‘you can never be too prepared’ is often true when you find yourself far from home and unable to speak the local language. Which brings us onto the first item on our list – duct tape. It may seem like an odd addition to your luggage, but duct tape can be an absolute lifesaver when your suitcase or rucksack fails you. Broken handles, tears in tents and backpacks or even just a rip in a sunshade – all of these can be temporarily fixed with the help of a bit of duct tape, which can save you from having the unwanted expense of buying new items on the hoof. Emergency contraception: We often pack extensive first aid kits that can help us treat against injury, diarrhoea or other health issues. But emergency contraception is another vital medication not likely to make the list. Holidays, offer us a welcome break from our daily routines which can make it all too easy for women to forget to take birth control pills, especially during jam-packed holiday schedules. It is important to remember that all forms of contraception are not 100% effective but taking emergency contraception such as Levonelle and EllaOne as soon as possible after unprotected sex can offer peace of mind for women and couples wanting to enjoy their holiday without added health concerns. Of course the morning after pill can be purchased abroad, but women travelling remotely or in places they could not confidently request medication, may feel more at ease buying emergency contraception from a trusted UK pharmacy before they travel. Our sister website, Express Pharmacy, offers a range of emergency contraception pills which can be discreetly prescribed and purchased online and delivered to your door. Plastic bags Whether you are hiking, skiing, or enjoying a relaxing beach holiday we implore you to find a traveller out there who could not benefit from an emergency plastic bag. This is an easy way to protect expensive luggage and handbags from wet swimming costumes, food stuffs that might leak or just a spare shopping bag for souvenirs. And for those prone to travel sickness during flights and long journeys, spare plastic bags are an absolute must. Need we say more… Torch While the streets of UK towns and cities are generally well lit, not all holiday destinations guarantee the same convenience. For this reason it is important to pack a torch if you are travelling off the beaten track. Even city goers and those staying in built up areas may find a torch handy during a power cut. And the final ultimate travel essential… While there are lots of little things that we can pack to ensure our health and wellbeing during trips abroad, the most important travel essential is preparation! Ensure that you have fully researched your holiday destination for not only local tourist spots that you wish to visit but also for any outbreaks of disease that may be relevant. For many places around the world, getting vaccinations is an integral part of travel preparation. If you are unsure of the If you are unsure of the immunisations you might need for travel, why not simply get in touch with the team here at Express Travel Clinic and we can advise you on the necessary health precautions. Call 0208 993 5889 today
4. Oct 2017