Travelling This December? Don’t Leave Your Vaccines Too Late — What Somerset West Residents Need to Know
December is here — which means half of Somerset West is getting ready to hit airports, borders, and long-distance road trips. But while booking flights and packing sunscreen are high on the list, there’s one thing many travellers forget until the very last minute:
their travel vaccines, malaria prophylaxis, travel letters regarding medication and first aid kits.
And by the time they remember… it’s often too late.
If you’re planning a trip anywhere in Africa, Asia, South America or certain island destinations, here’s why you should sort out your travel vaccinations, malaria prophylaxis, travel letters regarding medication and first aid kits now — and why the timing is especially important this December.
1. Some vaccines take time to become effective
A few important travel vaccines need days to weeks before they protect you properly. For example:
- Yellow Fever: Takes 10 days to reach full protection (and most countries won’t accept your certificate unless it has been at least 10 days).
- Hepatitis A: Protection starts after 2 weeks
- Typhoid: Ideally at least 2–3 weeks before travel
- Routine boosters: Tetanus, diphtheria, measles — often overlooked
If you leave this until the week before your flight, you may not be fully protected… or worse, you may be refused entry at borders.
2. December = fully booked clinics
Every year, travel clinics get overwhelmed in the first two weeks of December because everyone suddenly realises they need:
- Vaccines
- Travel letters
- Prescriptions
- First-aid kits
- Medical forms for remote work or safaris
Booking early means you avoid the December chaos and guarantee your slot.
3. Only Dr Rinky is licensed for Yellow Fever vaccinations
At Helderberg Family Practice, Dr Rinky Vamvadelis is the only doctor authorised to administer Yellow Fever vaccinations and issue the official certificate required for many African and South American countries.
This is important for travellers to places like:
- Zanzibar
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Angola
- Ghana
- Ethiopia
- South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, etc.)
If you’re heading anywhere on that list or you are in transit for more than 12 hours, you must get the vaccine from a licensed provider — and those appointments fill up fast.
4. Dr Rinky will be on leave from 13 December – 5 January
This is the big one.
If you need Yellow Fever vaccination, travel medicine advice, prescriptions, or official documentation, please book before 13 December.
During her leave:
- Travel vaccination appointments will be paused
- The travel clinic will reopen on 5 January
- Dr Deidré Reed will be available for general medical consultations, but cannot provide Yellow Fever vaccines
This means:
👉 If you’re travelling mid-December or during the first week of January, please book ASAP.
5. What to bring to your appointment
To make your consultation quick and efficient, bring:
- Your travel itinerary
- Any medical conditions or chronic medications
- Your previous vaccination records (if available)
- Questions about your destination
- Details of safaris / rural travel / high-risk areas
The more we know, the better we can protect you.
6. How to book
Booking early ensures you don’t end up scrambling at the airport:
✔ Email: info@thehfp.co.za
✔ Book online: Click Here
Final reminder
If you’re travelling this December or early January, don’t wait — travel vaccines aren’t something you can “quickly do the day before your flight.”
Book your appointment now, stay protected, and enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind.
