Whether you’re heading off on a backpacking adventure, a family holiday, or a business trip abroad, ensuring you’re fit for travel is one of the most important parts of your preparation. At Brixton Travel Clinic, we regularly support travellers with tailored advice, vaccinations, and medical documentation – all designed to keep you safe and healthy, wherever you’re going.
To help you stay on track, we’ve put together a fit for travel checklist – covering 10 essential health and safety steps you should tick off before departure.
1. Book a Travel Health Consultation
Before anything else, book in with a qualified travel health clinician. Ideally, this should be at least 6 to 8 weeks before you travel, especially if you’re visiting areas with specific health risks.
A consultation allows us to:
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Assess your personal risk based on destination, duration, and activities
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Review your medical history and current medications
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Recommend and administer necessary vaccinations
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Advise on malaria prevention, altitude sickness, and insect bite protection
2. Get the Right Vaccinations
Depending on your destination, you may need routine, recommended, or even required vaccinations. Common travel vaccines include:
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Hepatitis A and B
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Typhoid
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Tetanus, diphtheria, and polio
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Rabies (pre-exposure)
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Yellow fever
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Japanese encephalitis
We’ll guide you through the vaccine schedule and ensure you’re protected well before your flight.
3. Check if You Need a Fit for Travel Certificate
Some airlines, cruise lines, or insurance providers may require a fit for travel certificate if:
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You’ve recently had surgery
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You’re pregnant
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You have a chronic condition (e.g. heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness)
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You need oxygen or special assistance during the flight
At Brixton Travel Clinic, we can assess your medical history and provide the appropriate documentation if you’re deemed safe to travel.
4. Review Your Current Medications
Make sure you have enough medication to last the entire trip – plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your repeat prescription or a letter from your GP or pharmacist, especially if you travel with controlled substances or injectable medications.
Pack your medicines in their original packaging and always keep them in your hand luggage, not checked baggage.
5. Organise Travel Insurance With Medical Cover
Never travel without comprehensive insurance. Ensure your policy includes:
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Emergency medical treatment
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Hospital stays
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Evacuation or repatriation
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Cover for pre-existing conditions (if applicable)
Double-check the policy documents and declare any medical conditions accurately to avoid invalid claims.
6. Prepare a Travel First Aid Kit
We recommend bringing a small, destination-appropriate first aid kit with:
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Pain relief (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
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Rehydration sachets
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Antiseptic cream and plasters
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Antihistamines
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Diarrhoea treatment (e.g. loperamide)
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Mosquito repellent (DEET 30–50%)
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Sun cream (SPF 30+)
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Altitude sickness tablets (if relevant)
Our clinicians can suggest specific products based on your itinerary.
7. Confirm Entry Requirements and Vaccination Certificates
Some countries require proof of vaccination, particularly for yellow fever, COVID-19, or polio in certain cases. We provide International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) where required and ensure all documentation is valid for your journey.
8. Plan for Malaria and Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
If you’re visiting a malaria-risk area, you’ll need to:
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Take a full course of antimalarial tablets
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Practise bite prevention day and night
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Sleep under a mosquito net if appropriate
We’ll advise you on the most suitable antimalarial for your destination and personal health profile.
9. Note Emergency Contacts and Medical Details
Before you go, prepare a small card or phone note with:
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Your blood type (if known)
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Allergies and medications
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Emergency contact numbers
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The address and contact details of the nearest British embassy or consulate
Having this information readily available can make all the difference in a medical emergency.
10. Stay Informed About Local Health Risks
We encourage you to check reliable travel health sources like Fitfortravel.nhs.uk or Gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for up-to-date alerts on outbreaks, entry requirements, and health notices for your destination.
During your consultation, we’ll also discuss any local risks such as contaminated water, heat exposure, altitude illness, or air quality concerns.
Book Your Travel Appointment Today
Staying fit for travel takes more than just a valid passport and packed suitcase – it means being medically ready for whatever your destination might bring.
To book your travel health consultation or ask about vaccinations, fit-to-fly certificates, or first aid advice, contact Brixton Travel Clinic today.
We’re here to help you travel with confidence and peace of mind.
This blog was written on behalf of Brixton Travel Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.