MediClinic - Private Medical Clinic with practices in Guildford (Surrey) and Wimbledon (SW London) offering same day appointments.

Further Important Health Areas to consider: 

Travel Vaccinations - See our Travel Vaccination Page for Pricing and Vaccine Validity

Before departure, ensure primary vaccinations and recommended boosters are up to date - including hepatitis B for health care workers; influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly; and BCG for those at high risk.  Plan ahead as most vaccines take 10 - 14 days to give immunity and others such as Rabies and Hepatits B will be a course of injections over at least 28 days. 

 

Current risks:

• There is a large ongoing measles outbreak in South Africa and visitors who have not had the illness in childhood or who have not been fully vaccinated may wish to consider vaccination.
• Other travel vaccinations that are usually advised are: Diphtheria/Tetanus/Polio and Hepatitis A/Typhoid.
• There is no  Yellow Fever in South Africa, however a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission . The National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa has highlighted that people travelling from the UK to South Africa via Nairobi, Kenya, must show proof of yellow fever vaccination on arrival. The World Health Organisation considers Kenya a country with risk of yellow fever and under International Health Regulations (2005), an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis against yellow fever must be shown on entry to South Africa from Kenya.
• Additional vaccines that may be considered are: Cholera, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Typhoid.  This can be discussed with the MediClinic travel clinic team during your appointment.
• During the winter influenza season in South Africa and it is expected that influenza A (H1N1), the pandemic strain, will cause the majority of infections in 2010. Travellers exposed to crowded conditions (eg. cruise travel, public transport, large gatherings, tour groups) are at greatest risk. UK travellers included in the 'at risk' groups should consider having both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines.  On 18 March 2010 the Department of Health, United Kingdom advised that people travelling to countries in the southern hemisphere (including South Africa) during their influenza season should receive pandemic H1N1 (2009) influenza vaccine at least two weeks before travel.  MediClinic has stock of this vaccine - call us to book during the next clinic date.
• Malaria is present in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces which border Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. Risk is present all year but highest September to May. A thorough risk assessment for each traveller is essential in order to determine their individual risk of malaria, and advice will be given on how best to avoid mosquito bite.  This should be considered if you are travelling to the game parks during your visit.
• An outbreak of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in livestock is ongoing in South Africa. Humans can be infected through direct contact with blood, tissue or organs from infected animals eg. during butchering or assisting with animal births. The virus can also be transmitted through inhalation of aerosols produced during the slaughter of infected animals. Other modes of transmission include the bite from an infected mosquito and consumption of unpasteurised or uncooked milk from an infected animal. Those at highest risk are farmers, herders, veterinarians and slaughterhouse workers. Travellers should take precautions to prevent mosquito bite.
• In some circumstances extra vaccinations may be considered and we suggest discussing this with your MediClinic GP before your trip.

   

   

Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV and STD)

HIV/ STD and other sexually transmitted infections can be a serious risk. Approximately 20% of adults aged between 15-49 years of age in South Africa are HIV positive and the carriage rate of Hepatitis B virus is considered to be high at more than 10% (WHO).  MediClinic can assist you with HIV and STD testing should this be a concern to you.

Crime and Safety 

Crime and personal safety is an issue in parts of South Africa and very good advice is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website .  Be Aware and Be Safe!

Other Useful Website links

• Lonely Planet Travel Guide - South Africa
• Kayak Travel Bookings
• Opodo Travel Bookings
• Expedia Travel Bookings
  

Appointments: Guildford - 0845 2252 811 or Wimbledon - 0845 2252 511

Visit our travel vaccination page for vaccine pricing and validity