Travel medicine consultation
Stay healthy while travelling and return home healthy: The travel medicine consultation at the Zug cantonal hospital is your first port of call for all queries relating to travel and tropical medicine. During the consultation, the most important precautionary measures, including mandatory and recommended vaccinations, are discussed on an individual basis for each trip and administered on request. Ideally, the consultation should be held at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure so that all the required medical measures may be discussed and initiated in good time.
If you experience any symptoms after travelling, we will investigate them and start the appropriate treatment.
WHO REQUIRES A TRAVEL MEDICINE CONSULTATION?
- Travellers to developing countries where there are poor hygiene practices
- Travellers planning long-term stays (> 6 months)
- People over the age of 60
- Persons with pre-existing conditions and in need of ongoing medical support
- People with specific travel needs (travelling during pregnancy, with babies, with physical limitations, etc.)
CONSULTATION TOPICS / SERVICES
- Equipment (first-aid kit, water treatment, climate-appropriate clothing, etc.)
- Insurance and documents
- Drug-based malaria prevention, protection against mosquitoes
- Thrombosis prevention
- Compulsory and recommended vaccinations (consultation and administration)
- Dispensing or prescribing the medication discussed
- Last-minute measures
GENERAL IMMUNISATION RECOMMENDATIONS
For virtually all destinations:
- Tetanus/diphtheria (DiTe)
- Hepatitis A (+ B)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Poliomyelitis (polio), (except for North and South America)
For specific destinations (Africa/South America) in addition:
- Yellow fever (the Zug cantonal hospital is an official yellow fever vaccination centre authorised by the FOPH)
- Meningococcal meningitis (A, C, W, Y), vaccinations for the Hajj
For longer stays in remote areas (e.g. trekking)
- Rabies (especially for South and Southeast Asia)
- Typhoid fever
- Japanese encephalitis
BASIC RULES OF VACCINATION
- After a fever, you should postpone getting vaccinated for a few days.
- For live vaccines (e.g. yellow fever and measles) please note that: Two live vaccine shots need to be administered in the same session or at least 4 weeks apart.
- If you are immunocompromised or taking medication that suppresses the immune system, special vaccination rules apply
Costs
Basic health insurance does not cover the costs of specific travel medicine consultations, medications, and travel medicine vaccinations. We will invoice you directly and accept payments on site (no cash payment possible; payment by EC debit card, credit card, or Twint). Your supplementary insurance may, however, reimburse the costs.
The costs for investigating and treating travel-related conditions after your return are covered by basic health insurance.
IMPORTANT: Please complete the "Travel medicine questionnaire" - (English version) before the consultation and bring it to the consultation. Please note that one questionnaire needs to be completed per person attending the consultation.
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS / DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSULTATION
Please bring the following documents to the consultation:
- Complete vaccination records (vaccination cards, COVID-19 vaccination certificates, other certificates)
- Precise information on your current health situation (underlying diseases, current medical treatments)
- Health insurance card