FAQs

Given that Covid-19 is still circulating in the community, we would prefer you reschedule your appointment until you are free of symptoms.  Vaccines are best given when you are well.

Vaccines are usually effective and safe, but reactions can sometimes occur. Reactions can be restricted to the site of injection or more general, affecting the whole body. Most reactions occur within a day or two of the vaccine, settle spontaneously, and are a sign of a strong immune response. Live vaccines, such as measles, chicken pox, one of the Japanese encephalitis needles and yellow fever can cause a more delayed response, usually 4-5 days and sometimes longer, after vaccination. Almost all reactions are self-limiting. They settle spontaneously without long term problems.

Anaphylaxis is a very rare severe allergic reaction which does require treatment and usually occurs within half an hour of the vaccine. Serious reactions are extremely rare.

Coming to Travel Health Plus works a bit like going to a regular GP. The initial consultation fee is partially rebateable through Medicare (~$60 gap for most), with no out of pocket expense for children under 16 and veterans. Students and pensioners will be charged a discounted fee. ($20-$25 gap).

Subsequent visits with the Doctor for the same trip are fully rebateable. (no gap), otherwise a nurse consult fee of $20 may apply.

Vaccines and medications for travel are not covered or subsidised by the government and therefore not covered by Medicare, so even health care card holders and pensioners would pay full price at a pharmacy.

Vaccines vary widely in price from $0-$285, depending on which type. Most cost between $40 & $75 each.

Some veterans are eligible for subsidised vaccines and we do of course have some Health Department provided free vaccines for those eligible (ie childhood immunisations, influenza for the elderly).

Travelling for work? Medicare won’t cover the cost of your consultation if it’s for work purposes. If your employer won’t cover the costs, speak to your accountant about eligibility to claim at tax time.

Medicals costs as follows;
• Commercial Diving $286
• OEUK (formally OGUK) $297
• Aviation $165-$275
• Recreational Diving $165

If you have any other questions about fees please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly staff via email to reception@travelhealthplus.com.au

Yes we do, including ones for anyone who was bitten or scratched overseas and needs to start or complete a post exposure course. We also have plenty of meningococcal vaccines covering the B and ACWY strains and since it’s flu season in the tropics all year round, you will usually find influenza vaccines in our fridges most of the year. Because we specialise in immunisations and travel health, we often have stock when others (including pharmacies) have run out. Please note however that we aren’t a dispensary and you will need to phone ahead and make an appointment. with one of our medical staff, in order for us to administer any vaccines.

Even if you know what you require, you will still need to have an appointment with one of our doctors before we can administer a vaccine, or dispense medications to you. Although we have them here in the clinic for your convenience, they  still  need ‘prescribing’ by a medical practitioner. We are also unable to sell you items prescribed by doctors from another clinic.

As a general rule yes. We keep all vaccines, medications and ‘healthy travel’ products here onsite, so you don’t have to visit a pharmacy and come back. Vaccines are prescription items however so you do need to see one of our doctors before we can go ahead and give them to you.

Travel medicine should never be ‘one size fits all’. We tailor our advice for you and your trip- taking into account such things as past medical and vaccination history, your destination, accomodation and planned activities. This is done by one of our experienced travel health doctors during a consultation that usually takes around 30 minutes.

You can however get a general idea of what kinds of things you might be at risk from by reading one of the destination fact sheets found on our website. After that it’s simply a matter of booking an appointment either online or by telephone.

If you have been ill whilst away or become unwell shortly after returning from an overseas trip, you should contact us as soon as possible straight away. You don’t need to be an existing patient.

For the health of our staff and other patients, please make sure you phone ahead to make a booking. It happens rarely, but if we suspect you might have an infectious disease we will take steps to reduce contact with as many people in the clinic as possible as a precaution until one of our doctors has assessed you.

Some studies in the past have suggested a link between vaccinations and certain medical conditions, such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and autism. The allegations of a link are often made for a disease of unknown cause. The appearance of a certain medical condition after vaccination does not necessarily imply that they are causally related. In most cases, subsequent studies have indicated that the association is due to chance alone. The Measles, Mumps, Rubella / Autism myth has been completely debunked by such studies. Importantly, once an issue is raised, it needs prompt research, and if no association is found then discussion and education is required to avoid propagating a myth.

No. A vaccine covering six different diseases is routinely given to all babies at 2, 4 and 6 months of age for example.

Vaccines are just one of an enormous number of substances (antigens) that all adults and children routinely confront in day to day life that cause their immune system to respond in various ways to protect the body.

Vaccines contain a tiny amount of protein from a particular virus or bacteria which stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against the illness. These antibodies remain in the immune system’s memory for varying lengths of time and attack the organism if and when you become exposed.

It’s important you seek treatment as soon as possible if you haven’t already. If you started your course overseas, it is also important you keep to the schedule of treatment. The good news is that the WA Health Department currently provide rabies post exposure vaccines free in most instances, but you need to see a doctor in order for them to organise it for you.

Our staff are very experienced with rabies post exposure treatment. The clinic has rabies vaccines on hand at all time, and often rabies immunoglobulin too, but you do need to make an appointment. If you are already mid schedule, don’t leave it until the day you require the vaccine to give us a call.

Be aware that due to there being no rabies in Australia, emergency departments in WA usually don’t have rabies vaccines on hand. If you present to a hospital they will usually refer you on (often to us).

We get asked this question a lot. The simple answer is yes but suggest you read on more

6-8 weeks before you travel is a good time to have an appointment with one of our doctors. But it’s never ‘too late’. If you are travelling sooner than that, make an appointment as soon as possible. We do offer after hours and Saturday morning appointments. These are highly sought after and fill up early, so don’t leave it until the last minute, in order to avoid disappointment. We’ve now also added clinic sessions in Nedlands.

Just the opposite. Over the years there have been many patients who, having seen their regular doctor prior to previous trips, tell us they wish they had come to us sooner. Using the expertise and experience of Travel Health Plus saves you money and time – you only get what’s needed, at competitive prices, all under the one roof. Consultation fees are partially and in some cases fully rebatable through Medicare and most private health funds offer rebates on vaccination costs, depending on your cover.

Yes we do. We have plenty of hepatitis B and meningococcal vaccines covering the B and ACWY strains. In tropical climates the risk of influenza is all year round, so we also have a good supply of influenza vaccines on hand. Because we specialise in immunisations and travel health, we often have stock when others (including pharmacies) have run out. Please note however that we aren’t a dispensary and you will need to phone ahead and make an appointment. with one of our medical staff, in order for us to administer any vaccines.

We have a range of non-prescription travel health products, including first aid kits that you are able to purchase over the counter. Our specialised self-treatment kits however contain prescription medications so you need an appointment with one of our doctors in order to purchase one. To do this you will need to phone ahead and make an appointment.