In brief
The short answer
A travel consultation is a one-to-one appointment where a pharmacist looks at where you are going, what you will be doing and your health and vaccine history. They then recommend only the vaccines and malaria tablets your trip needs and give practical advice for staying well. At our clinic the consultation is free, and you only pay for any vaccines you go ahead with.
- The consultation is free, you pay per dose only for what you need
- Bring your vaccine records, a list of your medicines and your itinerary
- Book at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel if you can
- Most single-dose vaccines can be given at the same appointment
Why a consultation, not just a list of jabs
Two people going to the same country can need very different vaccines. A fortnight in a Bangkok hotel is not the same trip as a month backpacking through rural Thailand. UK travel health guidance asks clinics to assess each traveller individually, so the advice you leave with fits your trip rather than a generic country list.
That is also why many people leave needing fewer vaccines than they expected. Childhood jabs and vaccines from previous trips often still count.
What the pharmacist will ask you
Expect questions about two things: your trip and you.
- Every country you are visiting, including stopovers
- Your travel dates and how long you will be away
- Where you are staying, from resort hotels to family homes or camping
- What you will be doing, such as trekking, cycling, diving or working with animals
- Your medical history, current medicines and any allergies
- Whether you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Which vaccines you have had before and when
What happens next
The pharmacist explains which vaccines are recommended for your trip, which are optional and why. If malaria tablets are needed they will go through the options that suit your route and health. You also get practical advice on food and water, mosquito bites, the sun and what to do if you are bitten by an animal abroad.
You decide what to go ahead with. If you want to think about it, or check whether your GP offers some vaccines free, that is fine. If you go ahead on the day, most single-dose vaccines can be given at the same appointment, and courses are scheduled around your travel date.
What to bring
A little preparation makes the appointment quicker and the advice more accurate.
- Any record of previous vaccines: GP printout, NHS App history, old travel clinic cards or your child's red book
- A list of the medicines you take, including inhalers and contraception
- Your itinerary with dates, including any stopovers
- Details of any allergies or reactions to previous vaccines
When to book
The NHS advises getting travel health advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go, and earlier if you are pregnant, have a long-term condition or need a multi-dose course such as rabies. If you are leaving sooner, book anyway. There is usually still something useful we can do.
We are open 7 days a week, including Sunday, with free parking outside, so a weekend appointment is easy to fit around work. Families and groups can call us to book slots together.
What it costs
The consultation itself is free. You only pay for the vaccines or medicines you choose to have, and every price is published on our price list. If the pharmacist decides you do not need anything, you pay nothing.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There is no consultation fee at our clinic. You pay per dose only for the vaccines you decide to have.
A pharmacist registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Our clinic is part of Northumbria Way Pharmacy & Clinic in Cramlington.
Yes. Your GP surgery or the NHS App can usually show what you have had, but if you cannot find them the pharmacist will advise based on what you remember and what is safest.
Yes. Call us to book appointments together. Each person, including children, is assessed individually.
Final vaccine and medicine recommendations always depend on your medical history, previous vaccinations, current travel health guidance, trip duration and planned activities. This page is general information, not a personal clinical recommendation — book a consultation so our pharmacist can assess your individual trip.