Travel Clinic

Stay Safe. Travel Confidently. Protect Your Health.

Planning a trip abroad? Whether it’s a family holiday, business travel, or an adventure overseas, your health should travel with you.

At Million Pharmacy Sunderland, our private, pharmacist-led travel clinic offers expert advice, essential vaccinations, and anti-malarial medication — all in one convenient place.

Our private Malaria Prevention Service also provides a convenient and confidential way to access prescription-only antimalarial tablets before you travel. Malaria is a serious infection spread by mosquito bites in certain parts of the world. Preventative medication, taken correctly, can significantly reduce your risk. If clinically appropriate, treatment can be prescribed following an assessment by a qualified UK prescriber.

Your safety, suitability and informed choice are always our priority.

How does the service work?

Delivered by trained pharmacy professionals in a private consultation room, our service is quick, confidential, and designed to keep you healthy wherever your journey takes you. Also, you can buy your antimalarial supplies online - click to start your Online Consultation below.

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What happens during your visit?

Our pharmacy team will review your travel plans, medical history, and vaccination record, then provide tailored recommendations to protect your health while abroad.

During your visit, we will:

Discuss your itinerary and destinations
Check your vaccination history and medical background
Recommend travel vaccinations suitable for your trip
Provide anti-malarial medication and advice
Give practical guidance on food, water, and local health risks

All consultations take place in a comfortable, private setting to ensure confidentiality. We will ask you to complete an online questionnaire prior to your appointment to fully assess your requirements.

Who can access this service?

This service is available to anyone planning international travel. You may benefit if you:

Are travelling abroad for business, leisure, or adventure
Require vaccines not routinely given in the UK
Need advice on malaria prevention or other travel health risks

You may be suitable for Malaria prevention if you:

Are aged 16 or over
Are travelling to an area where malaria prevention is recommended

Malaria tablets may not be suitable if you:

Are pregnant or breastfeeding (depending on the medicine)
Have certain mental health conditions (for some antimalarials)
Have epilepsy or seizure disorders
Have significant liver or kidney problems
Are taking medicines that may interact with antimalarial treatment
Have known allergy to the recommended medication

This list is not exhaustive. A full clinical assessment is required.
You must provide accurate and complete information to ensure safe prescribing. If necessary, you may be advised to consult your GP or another healthcare professional.

If you are unsure which vaccinations or medications you need, our pharmacy team will be happy to advise.

When should I get vaccines?

For most trips, it’s recommended to seek travel health advice 3–6 months before departure. This allows time for immunity to develop and multi-dose vaccine courses to be completed.

However, it’s never too late to ask for advice. Some vaccines and preventative medications can still be given closer to your travel date.

After vaccination: what to expect

Most travel vaccines are well tolerated. You may experience:

Mild soreness at the injection site
Temporary fatigue or flu-like symptoms

These side effects are usually short-lived. Keep the area clean and dry, and you can continue with your normal daily activities. Contact the pharmacy if you experience unexpected or persistent symptoms.

About Malaria Prevention treatment

Antimalarial medicines are used to reduce the risk of malaria infection while travelling. The most appropriate medicine depends on:

Your travel destination
Length of stay
Medical history
Current medications

Treatment will only be supplied if it is safe and appropriate for you.

The dosing schedule depends on the specific medication prescribed:

Some treatments start 1–2 days before travel, others 2–3 weeks before travel
Tablets are taken daily or weekly, depending on the medicine
Treatment must continue during your stay in the risk area
Tablets must also be continued for a period after returning to the UK

You must follow the exact instructions provided with your prescription.

Malaria prevention medication reduces risk but does not guarantee protection. You should also use mosquito bite avoidance measures, including insect repellent (50% DEET), appropriate clothing and bed nets where recommended.

Risks and Side Effects

Like all medicines, antimalarial tablets may cause side effects. These vary depending on the medication prescribed. Common side effects may include:

Nausea or stomach upset
Headache
Dizziness
Sleep disturbance
Increased sensitivity to sunlight (with doxycycline)
Some medicines may rarely cause mood changes or neurological symptoms.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

Severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
Severe mood changes or confusion
Persistent vomiting
Seizures

If you develop a fever during travel or after returning from a malaria-risk area, seek urgent medical attention and inform healthcare professionals of your recent travel history.

Full safety information is provided in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).

Important & professional information

Consultations are delivered by trained, GPhC-registered pharmacy professionals
All advice is based on the most up-to-date travel health guidance
Services are provided in a private consultation room
Vaccinations and medications are chosen based on your individual needs and medical history
Your information is handled securely in line with UK data protection legislation
This service is advisory; diagnosis and prescribing decisions are made in line with professional standards

At Million Pharmacy Sunderland, we make travel health simple, accessible, and confidential — helping you explore the world safely.