Updated travel immunisation and medication advice for GPs

Advice to help GPs and local medical committees understand the regulations on travel immunisation and medications

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on BMA

Travel vaccinations included in GMS

These vaccinations must be given as part of NHS provision through Genomic Medicine Services, and no fee can be charged to a registered patient.

• Cholera: a course of immunisation is to be offered to persons travelling to an area where they may risk exposure to infection as a consequence of being in that area, or to the country where it is a condition of entry to that country that people have been immunised.

• Hepatitis A: a course of immunisation is to be offered to persons travelling to areas where the degree of exposure to infection is believed to be high. People who may be at a higher risk of infection include those who intend to reside in an area for at least three months who may be exposed to Hepatitis A during that period or, if exposed to Hepatitis A, may be less resistant to infection because of a pre-existing disease or condition, or who are at risk of developing medical complications from exposure.

• Poliomyelitis (or polio): a course of immunisation (using an age-appropriate combined vaccine) is to be offered to persons travelling to an area where they may risk exposure to infection as a consequence of being in that area, or to a country where it is a condition of entry to that country that people have been immunised.

• Typhoid: a course of typhoid vaccine is to be offered to persons travelling to an area where they may risk exposure to infection as a consequence of being in that area, or to a country where it is a condition of entry to that country that people have been immunised.

Travel vaccinations not included in GMS

Charging

Whilst practices are restricted from charging registered patients for most services, Section 25 of the GMS regulations states:

‘The contractor may demand or accept a fee or other remuneration…for treatment consisting of an immunisation for which no remuneration is payable by the CCG and which is requested in connection with travel abroad.’

A practice may, therefore, charge a registered patient if such a vaccination is requested for travel. The patient may either be given a private prescription to get the vaccines, or be charged for stock purchased and held by the practice. Administration is also chargeable.

Travelling with medication

An airline is advising that travellers bringing medication in their hand luggage should bring a letter from their medical practitioner confirming the type of medication and what it is for.

The BMA raised this issue with the airline, which advised that, if a passenger packs their medication in their hold luggage, they do not require any of their medical information. However, if a passenger seeks to carry their essential medication in their cabin luggage, and the form of the medication contravenes aviation regulations – for example, the use of sharps, liquids more than 100ml or oxygen cylinders – they require the passenger to produce confirmation from their healthcare practitioner that the medication is necessary to be carried because it may be required on board.

The advice on their website is not clear on this point as it ‘advises passengers to take their medication in their hand luggage’ and it does not specify which sort of medication requires a letter; the BMA has written to the airline again asking for their webpage to be updated on this point.

Practices may choose to do this private work but are not obliged to do so; if they do, practices are able to charge for travel-related requests for information. Patients can also provide proof of medical conditions and medication by showing airlines their medical records on the NHS App, by accessing their online medical record, or by getting a copy of their medical summary from their practice.