Last-minute travel clinic: what you can still do

Four to six weeks’ notice is ideal. Many trips do not allow it: a bought ticket, company leave, a family visit. A travel consultation still makes sense with less time, but what you can still do changes.

What is still useful: the doctor reviews destination, duration, history and medicines. If malaria prophylaxis is indicated, the electronic prescription can be issued in the consultation and collected at a pharmacy in Portugal. A traveller’s diarrhoea kit, nausea medicines and advice on water and food can also be sorted at short notice.

What may no longer be possible: vaccines that need weeks to protect, two-dose schedules, or yellow fever vaccine if the International Vaccination Centre has no slot before you fly. Kliniqa does not give vaccines. The doctor says whether you need them, where to go, and what to do if the centre has no appointment.

Do not invent a pharmacy regimen without an assessment. A colleague’s antimalarial, an old prescription or a forum tip does not replace a clinical indication for your destination and your history.

Bring the itinerary, dates, transit countries, vaccines you already have (even if incomplete), allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding if relevant, and your usual medicines. The Kliniqa consultation costs €39. Vaccine fees, if you have them elsewhere, are charged by the centre.