Vaccines are a first line of defence against disease, and with many travelling this summer the Hamilton Health Clinic has issued a reminder that vaccines are not just for children.

Basic vaccines such as tetanus or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) need to be kept up to date — and a personal record of immunisations should be kept up to date and safeguarded alongside travel documents.

Persons immunised at the Department of Health should take the yellow booklet certifying vaccination to their doctors to keep their records updated. The clinic also has the resources of the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta at its disposal to recommend the right vaccines according to a travel itinerary.

Anyone needing immunisations for travel can make an appointment by e-mailing childhealth@gov.bm or calling 278-6460.

Travel Clinic hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2pm to 4pm by appointment only, at the Hamilton Health Centre at 67 Victoria Street.