Often when people think of travelling to a new destination, they look at flights, accommodations, if there are any tours or even the best time of year to travel. But there is one important thing that is often overlooked — vaccinations.
As international travel increases so do the health risks. Many countries require mandatory vaccinations in order to enter; others have recommended vaccines for a traveller’s own protection and peace of mind. For the average traveller, however, simply knowing which vaccines are necessary and what risks are involved in travelling can be overwhelming. And once you do determine what vaccines are necessary, there is the added inconvenience of having to get every traveller to the family doctor to receive those immunizations. But one St. John’s company has found a unique solution.
The Avalon Travel Clinic (ATC) is essentially a one-stop centre that can provide travellers, including families and groups, vaccinations, prescriptions and medical advice before they embark on their trip.
“Whether you’re a vacationer, business traveller, adventurer, or relief worker our goal is to keep you informed, protected and safe,” says Dr. Peter Seviour, who started the company to promote healthy travel for Newfoundland and Labrador residents.
The full-service travel clinic is staffed with registered nurses and because they have an on-site physician they are able to provide a higher level of service, according to Dr. Seviour, who is also a member of the international society of travel medicine (ISTM). “We can address any issues at the time of the consultation, which can be very convenient for our clients,” he says.
As part of the initial consultation, clients will receive a thorough assessment, including a discussion regarding the purpose of their trip, the itinerary and any special activities, among other things. Clients will also complete a medical and immunization history to determine any potential health risks.
After the assessment, ATC can evaluate the situation and make up-to-date recommendations based on the information they gather from the client as well as reputable international travel medicine sources.
“We design a client and destination-specific regimen of vaccinations for every traveller that includes both the recommended and required immunizations, such as with the yellow fever vaccination,” Dr. Seviour says.
When ATC makes specific recommendations they are based not only on the location of travel, but the season, which can change the risk in some cases. They also incorporate any planned activities that could potentially alter the risk.
“In addition, we give advice about what safe foods are safe to eat and how to deal with both drinking water and other water bodies in order to prevent illness, such as the risk of malaria and the need for malaria prophylaxis,” he adds,
“The consult is an opportunity to teach and share health information with our clients. Prevention is our main focus, so we discuss immunization against preventable diseases as well as non-infectious risks, routine and travel specific vaccines, personal protection measures against insects, and we can advise clients with chronic medical conditions about their specific risks, if any,” says Dr. Seviour.
ATC can also assess a traveller’s acceptance of various health risks and then help them to prioritize which vaccines they require based on this information as well their budget. The clinic does offer a one-time charge. So, if you pay a consultation fee for a trip your family is taking in 2018, and then you take another trip in 2019, you would only pay for any additional vaccines if they are necessary.
Additionally, ATC can provide clients travelling outside of the country with instructions on how to register their itinerary with the Canadian government so that the local Canadian embassy will be aware of their presence in the case of a natural disaster or any situation that may involve a potential evacuation. They also give clients the contact information for the local medical treatment centres, which generally have English speaking doctors who are members of the ISTM.
For a list of the vaccinations ATC can provide and other information, visit their website, www.avalontravelclinic.ca or call (709) 579-3797
“When our travellers are well prepared they can relax and enjoy their vacation or get on with business wherever it may be and feel confident they have made the right choices for their health and safety,” says Dr. Seviour.
