TRAVEL & VACCINE CLINIC
Today, the Travel & Vaccine Clinic brings together a team of general practitioners, infectious disease specialists, paediatricians and specialised nursing staff in the care of patients. The clinic specialises in vaccinology, preventive medicine and tropical diseases. All team members have undertaken additional training in tropical medicine and / or have professional experience in developing countries.
CONSULTATIONS
Appointments are strongly recommended.
Walk-in consultations are available Monday to Friday (limited places per time slot
- Mornings: from 8.30 am
- Afternoons: from 1.30 pm
Waiting times may be long without an appointment… Please book an appointment where possible.
PLEASE NOTE: Consultations for long-haul travel (multiple countries, round-the-world trips) are by appointment ONLY.
Please note that preventive medication for malaria and most vaccines can be prescribed by your GP, with the exception of yellow fever and those for long-haul travel or ‘special’ travellers (pregnant women, children, people with health issues, the elderly).
Depending on availability, you may be seen by a GP trained in travel medicine or by a specialist.
Cards Only (Bancontact, VISA, Mastercard)
Please go to THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (290 Rue Haute, 1000 Brussels) if:
- You develop a fever after returning from travel – any day of the wee
- You require treatment for a potential rabies exposure outside normal opening hours – evenings or weekends.
Travel: Preparation
It is recommended to book an appointment at least two weeks before departure in order to:
- Avoid long waiting times,
- Allow sufficient time to discuss any potential health issues and any required vaccinations or preventive treatments that may be necessary.
Vaccinations
All vaccinations are available on site, including rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and tick-borne encephalitis (Central European). A vaccination record booklet is provided after administration.
Recommendations
In addition to malaria and diarrhoea, prescriptions are issued and highlighted in many information sources.
- A comic strip (as is customary in Belgium!) with a detailed glossary and travel first-aid kit advice;
- The Health Passport (by Question Santé);
- Detailed information sheets on malaria and diarrhoea;
- Additional leaflets on other travel-related diseases.
Please note: For long or complex journeys, visits to multiple countries, adventure travel, group travel, etc., it is strongly recommended to book an appointment at least one month in advance.
Travel: On Your Return
Have you returned from a trip with a health concern?
For travellers who have developed – or experienced while abroad – a health problem, consultations by appointment are available from Tuesday morning to Friday morning with specialists (including physicians and paediatricians) in infectious and tropical diseases.
In case of an emergency (high fever, etc.), you are advised to attend the Emergency Department at CHU Saint-Pierre for immediate care.
We are also available (by appointment) to carry out post-travel check-ups from a long or adventurous trip, or if you were exposed to specific risks during travel (bilharzia/schistosomiasis, STI, etc.).
Preparing for the Hajj / Umra
Each year, in the lead-up to the Hajj pilgrimage, a dedicated service is organised for one month to support pilgrims travelling to Mecca, particularly for meningitis vaccinations.
We offer a warm welcome and personalised advice for these specific circumstances, in coordination with the management of the Islamic Centre in Brussels.
Rabies Consultation
What constitutes exposure to rabies? Rabies is transmitted through contact with the saliva of an infected mammal, either through bites or scratches, or through contact with mucous membranes (licking)
Which animals are at risk? All mammals outside Western Europe, Japan, and Australia may carry rabies. In Belgium, only bats are considered potential carriers
Vaccination
The Travel & Vaccine Clinic provides expert advice on a wide range of vaccination-related topics.
- Catch-up vaccinations, administration of booster doses; advice on new vaccine
- Preparation for immunosuppression: ImmunoStart consultation
- Participation in clinical trials in vaccinology and tropical medicine
- Vaccination of vulnerable or specific populations
Immunostart
The ImmunoStart consultation is intended for patients who are about to start, or have already started, immunosuppressive treatment.
Its objectives are to:
- Ensure that routine vaccinations are up-to-date and administer vaccines specifically recommended for immunocompromised patients;
- Plan for travel requiring specific vaccines (some of which may be contraindicated during treatment);
- Screen for (and sometimes treat) latent infections that could be reactive during IS treatment (e.g. tuberculosis, parasitic infections);
- Provide lifestyle and hygiene advice to follow while on IS treatment (e.g. gardening, diet, dental care);
- Offer guidance regarding the patient’s family and close contacts
Emerging diseases
Emerging diseases
· Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease;
· Monitoring of global outbreaks (Zika virus, yellow fever, malaria, MERS-CoV Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, etc.) and European outbreaks (measles, tick-borne encephalitis, meningitis, etc.).
Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation
Healthcare professionals at the Travel & Vaccine Clinic are trained to address the issue of female genital mutilation. They work in collaboration with GAMS, and use dedicated tools to facilitate discussion and prevention during consultations.
CeMaViE: CeMaViE, or the Medical Centre for Assistance to Victims of Female Genital Mutilation, is a specialised centre providing care for complications to female genital mutilation (FGM).
CeMaViE: 320 Rue Haute, 1000 Brussels, every Tuesday 2 pm – 5 p
