If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Travel consultations are not available at the practice. You may wish to seek a travel advice consultation at a Pharmacy that provides this service or Kerrsland Travel Clinic, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. Tel: 02890 657138 for an appointment.

It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible  - at least 6 weeks before you travel - as a second appointment will be required with the  nurse to receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.

Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you'll be visiting on these websites:

• Travel Health Pro
• NHS fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad.