Planning a holiday abroad? If you live in Carshalton, Sutton, Hackbridge or the surrounding area, Anna Pharmacy offers a full travel health service, including vaccinations, antimalarial tablets and personalised pre-travel health advice, without needing to wait for a GP appointment.
Why use a pharmacy-based travel clinic?
GP surgeries are not always the easiest route for travel vaccinations. Appointment availability can be
limited, and not all practices offer a full range of travel vaccines. Many practices no longer provide travel
health services at all, particularly for NHS-funded appointments.
A pharmacy-based travel clinic offers a practical alternative. You do not need a referral. You can often get
an appointment within days. The pharmacists who run the service are trained in travel health and can
provide advice based on your specific destination and circumstances, not just a standard checklist.
For residents of Carshalton, Sutton, Wallington and Hackbridge, Anna Pharmacy provides a local option
that does not require travelling into central London or to a specialist clinic.
What travel health services does Anna Pharmacy offer?
Our travel clinic covers the full range of pre-travel health needs for most popular destinations. Services
include:
Travel vaccinations
We offer the following vaccines at our Carshalton and Hackbridge branches:
| Vaccine | Common destinations | Notes |
| Hepatitis A | Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Central and South America, parts of Eastern Europe | Recommended for most destinations outside western Europe, North America and Australasia |
| Typhoid | Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, parts of Latin America | Injection or oral course; avoid for at least 3 days after course completion |
| Hepatitis B | Worldwide for longer stays, healthcare workers, those with potential medical exposure | 3-dose course; accelerated schedule available |
| Meningitis ACWY | Sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia (Hajj and Umrah), students in some countries | Required for Hajj; strongly recommended for the ‘meningitis belt’ of Africa |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Central and South America for rural travel, animal contact or children | 3 pre-exposure doses; does not eliminate post-exposure treatment but simplifies it significantly |
| Japanese encephalitis | Rural Southeast and South Asia, extended stays near rice paddies or forest areas | 2-dose course; suitable for travellers staying 4+ weeks or visiting high-risk rural areas |
| Tetanus, diphtheria and polio | Worldwide for those not up to date with routine vaccinations | Single booster in most cases |
| Cholera | Areas with active outbreaks or for aid workers and those with high-risk food and water exposure | Oral vaccine; take course 1–2 weeks before departure |
Antimalarial tablets
We can prescribe and dispense antimalarial medication for all major malaria-risk destinations, including
Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Our pharmacists will recommend the most appropriate option
based on your destination, your medical history and any medications you currently take.
Travel health consultation
Every travel health appointment at Anna Pharmacy begins with a consultation. This allows our pharmacist
to make recommendations that are specific to your trip rather than giving generic advice. The consultation covers your destination and itinerary, your vaccination history, current medications, and any underlying health conditions that may be relevant.
How to book a travel health appointment at Anna Pharmacy
Booking is straightforward. You can book online through our website or call either of our branches directly.
Walk-in appointments are also available, subject to availability.
When you book, it helps to have the following information ready:
- Your travel destination and approximate departure date
- Planned activities, particularly if they include rural travel, wildlife contact or adventure sports
- Details of any vaccines you have already had
- A list of any prescription medications you currently take
We recommend booking at least 4 to 8 weeks before departure to allow enough time for vaccines that
require multiple doses. If you are travelling sooner, do not assume it is too late. Contact us and we will
advise what is achievable in your timeframe.
Where to find us in Carshalton and Hackbridge
Anna Pharmacy operates from two locations in the London Borough of Sutton, serving patients and travellers from Carshalton, Hackbridge, Wallington, Sutton, Cheam, Worcester Park, Mitcham and the wider south London area.
Both branches are accessible by public transport from Sutton town centre, Carshalton station and Hackbridge station. Free parking is available nearby at both sites.
How far in advance do I need to book travel vaccines?
The right answer depends on where you are going and which vaccines you need. Some vaccines require
multiple doses spread over several weeks. If you are booking a trip with multiple destinations or complex
health requirements, earlier is always better.
As a general rule, aim to book your travel health appointment at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. For trips to popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey or the Canary Islands, the standard NHS vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster if required) can often be arranged at shorter notice.
For longer-haul destinations, particularly in Asia, Africa or Latin America, earlier booking gives you more options, more flexibility between doses and a more comfortable experience than rushing multiple injections in the days before you fly.
Common questions about our travel clinic service
Do I need a prescription for antimalarials?
Yes. Antimalarial tablets are prescription-only medicines. At Anna Pharmacy, our pharmacists can prescribe and dispense antimalarials in a single appointment, so you do not need a separate visit to your
GP.
Are travel vaccines free on the NHS?
Some travel vaccines are available free on the NHS, including hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera for
travellers to certain destinations. However, NHS availability for travel vaccines through GP surgeries has
reduced significantly in recent years, and many practices now charge for or do not offer travel health
appointments.
At Anna Pharmacy, travel vaccines are provided as a private service. Our pharmacists will be transparent
about costs at the time of consultation. We do not charge a consultation fee separately.
Can children receive travel vaccinations at Anna Pharmacy?
Most travel vaccines are suitable for children, though recommended schedules and doses can differ from
those for adults. For children under 16, we ask that a parent or guardian accompanies them. Our
pharmacists will advise on age-appropriate vaccines and any relevant precautions.
Is there a travel clinic near Sutton?
Yes. Anna Pharmacy offers a travel clinic service at its Carshalton and Hackbridge branches, both located in the London Borough of Sutton. No GP referral is required, and appointments are available throughout the week including walk-in options.
What vaccines do I need for a holiday abroad?
The vaccines you need depend on your destination, planned activities and medical history. Most travellers going outside western Europe, North America and Australasia are advised to check their hepatitis A and typhoid vaccination status as a minimum. A travel health consultation at Anna Pharmacy will give you personalised recommendations.
Do I need travel vaccines for European holidays?
For most western European destinations, routine NHS vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, polio and MMR) are the main consideration. Some destinations in eastern Europe or the Balkans may also warrant hepatitis A and tick-borne encephalitis vaccinations. A pharmacist can advise.
How long before travel should I get vaccinated?
As a general guide, aim to book your travel health appointment at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Some vaccines require multiple doses and need time to take effect. If you are travelling sooner, contact Anna Pharmacy and we will advise what is possible in your timeframe.
Can I get antimalarial tablets from a pharmacy?
Yes. Antimalarial tablets are prescription-only medicines, but Anna Pharmacy pharmacists can prescribe and dispense them in a single appointment. You do not need a separate GP consultation. Bring details of your destination and travel dates when you book.
Do travel vaccines hurt?
Most travel vaccines are given as an injection in the upper arm. Some cause mild soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site for a day or two. Serious reactions are uncommon. Our pharmacists will tell you what to expect from each vaccine before administering it.