Planning your dream holiday? The last thing you want is a sudden illness to spoil the fun.
In all the excitement of planning, it’s easy to overlook your health. Our expert pharmacists have put together this practical overseas travel checklist to help you get medically prepared and travel with confidence.
To get the most out of it, we recommend you start planning your health preparations at least 6-8 weeks before you leave.
Travel Vaccinations — What to Consider Before You Go
Getting the right travel vaccinations is a critical first step towards a healthy trip when travelling overseas. It’s important to book in well before you depart, as some vaccines require multiple doses or time to become fully effective.
At Greg Keily Chemist, we have accredited pharmacists who can administer certain vaccines right here in our private consultation room. This gives you timely and convenient access to essential immunisations like Whooping Cough, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), as well as the annual flu vaccine and COVID-19.
For any other vaccines you might need for international travel, our pharmacists can provide advice and help coordinate with your GP to ensure you get the right protection for your destination. For destination-specific advice and complex travel health needs, we recommend consulting a specialist travel doctor.
Medications to Pack (and Why You’ll Be Glad You Did)
Having a small medical kit of common over-the-counter medications can be a lifesaver.
When thinking about what to pack for travel health, consider the most common travel ailments. Our pharmacists can help you put together a personalised kit.
- Motion Sickness tablets: Tablets or patches can help with motion sickness on boats, planes, or long car trips.
- Jet Lag: Over-the-counter sleep aids, like melatonin, can help you adjust to new time zones and a different sleep schedule.
- Traveller’s Diarrhoea: Pack oral rehydration salts and loperamide to manage this common travel issue.
- Pain Relief: Paracetamol or ibuprofen is essential for headaches, fevers, or minor aches.
- Cold & Flu: Pack throat lozenges and decongestants so you’re prepared for any unexpected colds.
- Ear Drops: If you are prone to ear infections from swimming or flying, a good-quality ear drop can help prevent issues.
Sun Safety and Insect Protection
Don’t let a sunburn ruin your trip. Always pack a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. This is especially important for tropical climates.
Remember to include a lip balm with SPF and some after-sun care in case you do get caught out. We recommend after-sun lotions containing soothing ingredients like aloe vera to help repair your skin and provide relief.
For areas with a high risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like yellow fever, Zika virus, dengue fever, or malaria, pack a strong insect repellent with DEET or picaridin. It’s also wise to bring anti-itch cream for any bug bites.
Build Your First Aid and Essentials Kit
Creating a basic travel first aid kit checklist is simple. You can even find pre-packed kits at our pharmacy or ask us to help you tailor one to your destination. Here’s a quick list of must-haves:
- Plasters in various sizes
- Gauze and antiseptic wipes
- Tweezers
- Antihistamines for allergies or bites
- Scissors and safety pins
Don’t Forget These Travel Health Extras
- Hydration tablets or electrolyte powders
- Hand sanitiser and wipes
- Digital thermometer
- Prescription repeats or letters for customs (and remember to pack them in your carry-on luggage)
- Travel insurance (check if provided with your credit card) that covers medical costs, trip cancellation, and lost or damaged luggage. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it’s crucial to check that your policy covers it and any potential medical care.
- Register your travel plans with Smart Traveller, the Australian government’s service, so they can assist you in a medical emergency.
- Get a dental check-up before you go—good care can be hard to find overseas.
How Greg Keily Chemist Can Help You Travel Safely
At Greg Keily Chemist, we’re not just a shop; we’re a trusted part of your travel plan. Our expert pharmacists are here to offer personalised pharmacy travel advice and help you prepare with confidence.
We can provide a dedicated pre-travel health consultation to discuss your destination and any specific health risks. We’ll also help you get your vaccine timing right and assist in preparing a travel health kit tailored to your needs.
Plus, we can organise repeat prescriptions for any regular medications you need for your trip.
Ready for Take-Off? Visit Greg Keily Chemist
A little preparation goes a long way. From getting the right vaccinations to packing a custom first aid kit, your pharmacy or healthcare provider can provide sound travel health advice. Drop in and see us at 98 Marine Parade, Southport, or call us on (07) 5555 7877. We’ll help you leave with peace of mind.
