Doha: As part of the expansion of its services, Travel Clinic at Hamad Medical Corporation’s Communicable Diseases Center (CDC) now offers 23 types of vaccines for travellers and adults, said a senior official.
The Travel Clinic previously provided 13 vaccines which has been increased due to the demand.
“The clinic provides two types of vaccines. Some are travel-related vaccines and others are provided as part of adult immunisation schedule,” Medical Director of the CDC, Dr. Muna Al Maslamani told The Peninsula.
At present the clinic provides seasonal flu vaccine, Tdap, Polio, Adult Hep A vaccine, Pediatrics Hep A vaccine, Adult Hep B vaccine, Pediatrics Hep B vaccine, TWINIRIX Hep B/A vaccine, Cholera, Oral typhoid vaccine, injectable typhoid vaccines, Meningococcal vaccine, Conjugate pneumococcal vaccine, Polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine, Japanese encephalitis vaccine, tickborne encephalitis vaccine, rabies vaccines, yellow fever vaccine, hemophilus influenzae vaccine, human papilloma virus vaccine, herpes zoster vaccine, MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine.
“We recommend travellers to consult with Travel Clinic doctors about what vaccines and medicines are needed based on travel destination, trip duration and activities,” said Dr Al Maslamani.
Those accessing the clinic’s services will be able to attain a certificate of vaccination (required for travel to some countries) as well as disease prevention advice for the countries they will visit.
World Health Organization recommends getting travel advice and especially vaccinations four to six weeks prior to the travel date.
“Any vaccine needs 10-14 days to be effective (note that some vaccines require multiple doses). The best time to get the vaccine is 4-6 week before travel,” she added.
“There is no risk of receiving multiple vaccines at the same time, side effects usually limited to pain at the site of the injection and possible fever in some patients,” she added.
According to Dr. Al Maslamani, in 2021 the clinic has received 858 visitors and among them 12 percent requires vaccine for non travel requirements.
The Travel Clinic functions as a ‘One Stop Shop’ for travellers in Qatar and also provides highly specialized advice and treatment for those returning from overseas trips who suspect they may have a travel-related illness.
The clinic operates on an appointment basis and patients will be able to call and book ahead of time and seek services Mondays and Wednesdays afternoon.
“In near future we will expand the service,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
Since its opening in 2017, over 4,366 travellers have sought services at HMC’s Travel Clinic.