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The updated guidance sees changes to the vaccination recommendation categories and revised country-specific guidance on typhoid and hepatitis A vaccination following the relaunch of the NaTHNaC website (now available at travelhealthpro.org.uk). Polio vaccination guidance has also changed after WHO updated its list of countries affected by the virus.
In addition, certificate requirements and vaccination recommendations for yellow fever have been updated in accordance with the WHO’s guidance, and malaria prophylaxis advice has been amended following publication of the 2015 edition of the ACMP’s Guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK.
The updated country-specific recommendations for vaccination and malaria prophylaxis can be found at mims.co.uk/travel.
Simplified vaccination advice
NaTHNaC divides its vaccination recommendations into three broad categories. Vaccinations are now recommended for either 'all', 'most' or 'some' travellers to a country. All travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the current UK schedule, including MMR and DTaP.
Transiting through yellow fever risk countries
Many countries now require certificates of yellow fever vaccination for travellers transiting through countries with a risk of disease transmission, as well as those originating from such countries. In some cases the requirement only applies to travellers who are in transit for more than 12 hours and/or may exclude certain countries.
Revised malaria prophylaxis
Recommended malaria prophylaxis regimens have changed for India, Vietnam and Malaysian Borneo. The dose regimens found on the country pages now reflect current ACMP recommendations; healthcare professionals should be aware that these may differ from manufacturer information provided in the MIMS monographs.
Alternative (second-choice) malaria prophylaxis regimens are no longer specified. Instead, healthcare professionals may contact NaTHNaC for advice on 0845 6026712.
