Doha: As the summer travel season approaches, people travelling to countries where vaccinations and other preventive measures are required are encouraged to visit the Travel Clinic at the Communicable Disease Centre of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The clinic functions as a ‘One Stop Shop’ for travellers in Qatar and also provides highly specialised advice and treatment for those returning from overseas trips who suspect they may have a travel-related illness.
“Travel itself is an experience that we usually enjoy and a chance to explore different cultures and to relax. Once you decide to travel outside Qatar, it’s wise to make an appointment with Travel Clinic to discuss your general health and immunisation needs depending on your travel destination,” Senior Consultant of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Dr. Mohamed Khattab said.
The World Health Organization recommends getting travel advice and especially vaccinations four to six weeks prior to the travel date.
“We advise people to come to us four to six weeks before the travel date as 10-14 days time is required for the vaccinations to develop the resistance power within the body. And some vaccines require multiple doses,” Dr. Khattab told The Peninsula.
“Some vaccinations are simply recommended while others are required if travelling to specific countries. We recommend that all travellers be up-to-date with the routine schedule of childhood vaccinations and booster shots,” he added.
The vaccinations provided at the Travel Clinic include recommended vaccines for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), cholera, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio, hepatitis A and B and the yearly flu shot. Some additional vaccines for yellow fever, rabies, and diphtheria may also be required for travel, depending on the country being visited.
“We also ask travellers to take the proper preventive measures like having clean food and water as well as to get protected from mosquitoes. People with chronic illnesses should take all required medicine while travelling,” said Dr Khattab.
“Any person having conditions such as persistent diarrhoea, rash and fever is advised to visit the Travel Clinic without delay,” he added.
The clinic operates on an appointment basis and patients will be able to call and book by calling 40254003 from 7am to 7pm Sundays to Wednesdays and from 7am to 3pm on Thursdays to book an appointment.
