Vacation safely – know about travel vaccines

Heading to an exotic destination this winter? Don’t end up with an exotic disease. Travel vaccines are your best shot at protecting your health while abroad. The Prescription Shop at St. Joseph’s Hospital can help. 

As part of St. Joseph’s focus on uncompromising quality and safety, Prescription Shop pharmacists at St. Joseph’s Hospital are available to administer vaccines for 13 vaccine-preventable diseases. These include: influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster (shingles), human papillomavirus (HPV), Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, pneumococcal disease, rabies, tuberculosis, typhoid disease, varicella virus and yellow fever. 

Those planning trips to far-flung corners of the globe should make sure their provincial vaccination schedule is up to date and look into the recommended travel vaccines by visiting a travel clinic or their family doctor at least six weeks before leaving Canada. The Government of Canada also provides travel vaccine guidelines for required or recommended immunizations when travelling outside of the country. Don’t leave it until the last minute as some of the vaccines should be taken a certain period of time before leaving, or may take time to order in.

“Most travel vaccines require a prescription. Once a traveller has an eligible prescription, the Prescription Shop can provide and administer the vaccines needed,” says Bonnie Lee, Coordinator, Pharmacy Services.

In addition to prescription travel vaccines, the Prescription Shop also has Dukoral available – an oral liquid to prevent against traveller’s diarrhea that can be purchased without a prescription and is self-administered.

“The Prescription Shop is pleased to include vaccinations as part of the services we offer to staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and visitors,” says Bonnie. “It’s an important addition for the health of those who work at St. Joseph’s, and it enhances the services provided to those coming for care.”

The seasonal flu shot is also available at the Prescription Shop. With flu season in full swing, “it’s never too late to protect yourself,” says Bonnie. 

Prescription Shop travel vaccinations

• Location: The Prescription Shop is located at St. Joseph’s Hospital, 268 Grosvenor St. in London. It can be found in the main lobby of Grosvenor Street Entrance 1 – Zone A, Level 1.  
• Hours: The Prescription Shop is open 9 am to 5:30 pm. If you are coming to receive a vaccine, please arrive before 4 pm. Most travel vaccines require a prescription. In some cases, if the required travel vaccine is not in stock, the injection can’t be given the same day. 
• Cost: There is a $15 injection fee for injections other than the flu shot. There is no cost for the flu shot. Please note: Due to storage requirements, the Prescription Shop will not inject a vaccine purchased at another pharmacy. 

To learn more, talk to a pharmacist at the Prescription Shop.