Millions of people will be going on a holiday this summer, and almost all of them will have made a start on making sure they have everything they need to have the most enjoyable time abroad.
From ensuring their passport and documents are up to date to checking the travel advice for their destination, there is often a lot to do before it is time to catch your flight.
One of the most important places to visit is a travel health clinic, in order to get tailored travel advice, book any vaccinations you need and ensure that you have an ample supply of any prescription medication you take for the duration of your trip.
However, particularly when it comes to vaccinations, it is important to visit the pharmacy sooner rather than later, with the NHS recommending that you have a consultation at least two months before your travel date.
Here are some of the main reasons why.
Complete Vaccine Protection
Some travel vaccines need to be taken in multiple doses over the course of several weeks, and whilst expedited courses are available, you may not have complete protection from certain travel-related diseases for a few days once you arrive as your immune system builds antibodies.
This is particularly important if you have a pre-existing health condition, are on a long holiday, are intending to travel to rural areas where certain diseases are more common or are on a backpacking holiday.
The Travel Health Pro website can provide country-by-country advice, but a travel clinic or your GP can give you a more complete view of which vaccines and medications you need.
Time To Prepare Documentation
Some diseases such as yellow fever require a certificate of vaccination as a condition of entry into certain countries, and it can sometimes take some time to prepare the documentation required.
This is particularly true if you need proof of prescription to take certain medications to another country, but the earlier that you organise this, the less stressful it will be.
Everything For A Travel Health Kit
Beyond ensuring an adequate supply of existing medication, booking appointments for vaccines and supplying antimalarial medication, a travel pharmacy can also provide everything you need to pack a travel health kit.
These include insect repellents, fly paper, rehydration salts, sunscreen and a first aid kit to treat minor injuries and maladies, as well as anything else that you could possibly need on holiday.
Tailored Advice And Future Recommendations
Beyond specific vaccinations, a travel clinic can also help provide advice to take care of every eventuality during your holiday.
From how to avoid sunstroke to managing jet lag, there are certain aspects of a holiday that can spoil the occasion, and a travel clinic will typically have advice if not a solution for how you can take care of yourself and have the best time possible.
The earlier you get this advice, the sooner you can pack anything you need for the trip and ensure you have the best time possible.