There has been a significant increase in travelling over the last decade or so with many of us travelling to more far flung destinations. As a result there has been an increase in preventable travel related illness.
If you’re visiting friends or family, backpacking on your gap year or heading off on a family holiday, you may require a Travel Health Assessment and also vaccinations to keep you safe. Many vaccinations are available for free on the NHS.
GP’s previously delivered travel health vaccines however, this service is now provided by your health board. To get the care and advice you need it is important that you seek an appointment in plenty of time before you travel.
We advise you to contact our services at least 8 weeks before your travel date.
Making an appointment
NHS GGC Travel Health Services
- Email: Ggc.VaccinationContactCentre@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
- Call: 0800 9176115
- New Address – Parkview Resource Centre: 152 Wellshot Rd, Glasgow G32 7AX
- Opening date – 17th March 2025
- Contact details – Booking line: 0800 917 6115
- Emcare remains our preferred partner for additional vaccines not available on the NHS.
- Parking – both on site (limited) and on road parking available – 2 disabled parking spaces on site and venue has ramp access and disabled toilets.
- Transport links – Carntyne station (0.5 miles / 15 mins walk)
- Bus route – Shettleston road & Toll cross road buses
- You can plan your journey by going to Traveline Scotland Journey Planner: Traveline Scotland |
Health Professionals Providing Travel Health Advice
Prior to travel, UK residents planning to undertake Hajj or Umrah should be advised to:
- Check with a travel health professional as early as possible to identify what vaccines or boosters are required before travelling to Hajj/Umrah. MenACWY vaccine is required at least 10 days prior to travel as part of the Hajj/Umrah visa. It is recommended that travellers have received two doses of MMR vaccine.
- Follow the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for Saudi Arabia.
- Follow official Kingdom Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah guidance by registering and booking through the Nusuk Hajj website.
- Refer to the fitfortravel Hajj and Umrah page for information on how to protect themselves, their family and the community from travel-related ill health during Hajj and Umrah.
- Obtain comprehensive travel insurance before travelling for Hajj and Umrah.
Returning Travellers
Returning travellers from Saudi Arabia are advised to call their GP by phone or call NHS24 on 111 (out of hours) as soon as possible if experiencing flu-like symptoms (including fever, cough and/or shortness of breath) within 14 days of returning from Saudi Arabia, mentioning their recent travel.
This service is only for those residing within the NHSGGC Health Board area. If you live in another NHS Board area you can find your local provider here: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk
Attending your appointment
Please bring a note of your vaccination history with you to your appointment
If you are unable to provide this information at the time of your appointment it may cause a delay in you receiving any necessary vaccinations and you may have to return at a later date. If you have children attending with you, please bring the child’s red book or details of any vaccinations the child has received in school.
You must give a minimum of 48 hours notice of cancellation
If you have an appointment to receive your travel vaccinations and are no longer able to attend, it is important you tell us as early as possible. Late cancellation or not attending your appointment result in a cost to the NHS and denies others the opportunity to receive an NHS travel health appointment.
Covid Vaccination
We will not vaccinate you with Covid-19 unless this is a requirement for entry for a country you are travelling too. There are very low numbers of countries that require this now and information on the up to date list can be found on the Government website for the country you are travelling to.
A current list of countries that require Covid-19 vaccination for travel entry certification purposes can be found here: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements.
If you require covid vaccination for entry and haven’t had your primary course, please get in touch with the contact centre on 0800 917 6115 who will arrange an appointment.
Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings:
Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimage
Routine Vaccines
Before travelling to Hajj or Umrah it is recommended that you are up-to-date with routine vaccines for life in the UK, including:
- diphtheria, tetanus and polio
- a minimum of 5 doses of a diphtheria, tetanus and polio-containing vaccine are needed in your lifetime to provide good long-term protection.
- measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- two doses of MMR vaccine are needed in your lifetime to protect you against all three viruses
- seasonal flu (influenza) if you are eligible
- see NHS inform and NHS UK for more information on the UK flu vaccine campaigns
- MenACWY vaccine at least 10 days prior to travel as part of the Hajj/Umrah visa.
Before you Travel
Before booking travel, check the ‘Entry Requirements’ section of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance for the latest rules you will need to comply with to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Travel Insurance
You should purchase comprehensive travel insurance before travelling:
- make sure you tell your travel insurance company about any existing health conditions; if you don’t they may not cover you if you get sick
- see the travel insurance page for more information
Before you Travel
Before booking travel, check the ‘Entry Requirements’ section of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance for the latest rules you will need to comply with to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Travel Insurance
You should purchase comprehensive travel insurance before travelling:
- make sure you tell your travel insurance company about any existing health conditions; if you don’t they may not cover you if you get sick
- see the travel insurance page for more information
Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings: