By November, we start seeing the familiar winter travel pattern in Ealing: families flying out for Christmas breaks, professionals heading abroad for year-end meetings, and many people visiting relatives in India, Pakistan, Dubai or the USA. And with this travel rush comes a common question at the clinic:
“Should I get a COVID vaccine before I fly?”
A private COVID vaccination isn’t a requirement for most countries, but many travellers choose to update their protection – especially before long flights or during busy winter periods.
Most people who request the service tell us one of the following:
• winter increases exposure to respiratory infections
• they’re travelling to see elderly parents or relatives
• they want to avoid disruptions to their plans
• they’ll be spending long periods in airports and planes
• they feel more comfortable having the extra layer of protection
It’s a personal choice, guided by clinical assessment.
We’ll have a short discussion about:
• your travel date
• your vaccination history
• any existing medical conditions
• whether flu and COVID vaccines can be timed together for you
You’ll receive clear, practical advice – nothing rushed or complicated.
November is a month where many travellers sort several things at once. After a clinical assessment, you may receive:
• flu vaccine
• COVID vaccine
• travel vaccines such as Hep A, Typhoid or Yellow Fever (if relevant)
Appointments fill quickly as Christmas approaches, so it helps to arrange your travel vaccinations early.
All vaccinations are provided only after a clinical assessment.