Travel Clinic in Gorgie, Edinburgh

Medically reviewed by Emmanuel Ebube Umezulike, Superintendent Pharmacist, Avante Pharmacy (GPhC 2222671) on 1 October 2026 · Verify on the GPhC register · 6 min read

Avante Pharmacy and Travel Clinic on Westfield Road is a pharmacist-led travel vaccination service inside Sainsbury's in Gorgie, built for people who need reliable advice and vaccines before they fly, whether that's a fortnight in Turkey or three months volunteering in East Africa. The pharmacy is a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (UKYFVC10709), keeps a full range of travel vaccines on site so a course usually starts at your first visit, and is open later than the other two Avante branches on both weekdays and Saturdays.

What happens at a travel vaccination appointment?

Your appointment starts with a risk assessment, not a jab. Bring your itinerary (country, region, dates, accommodation type) along with your vaccination history and any medical conditions or medicines you take. The pharmacist works through this against current destination guidance from TravelHealthPro, the NaTHNaC resource used by UK travel clinics, and builds a plan for that specific trip rather than a generic list of "travel jabs".

Once the plan is agreed, any vaccines that are due can usually be given in the same visit, and the pharmacist will explain what to expect afterwards, including common mild reactions such as a sore arm or slight tiredness. For courses that need more than one dose, you'll leave with your next appointment dates already arranged.

"We build the plan around your actual trip, not a standard list — bring your itinerary and past vaccination record so we're not guessing." — Emmanuel Ebube Umezulike, superintendent pharmacist

How far ahead should I book before travelling?

As early as you can, ideally 6 to 8 weeks before you fly. Some vaccines need more than one dose spaced weeks apart. A full pre-exposure rabies course is usually three doses given over 21 to 28 days, or an accelerated three-dose schedule over just seven days where time is short, according to NaTHNaC guidance. Hepatitis B can be given as four doses over 12 months on the standard schedule, or compressed onto an accelerated course when travel is imminent, per the current guidance. Japanese encephalitis is normally two doses 28 days apart, though an accelerated 7-day gap is available for adults who are short on time.

If you're flying next week rather than next month, it's still worth booking. A single dose of yellow fever vaccine gives protection for at least 35 years, and there is usually something worth having even at short notice. NHS Lothian's own travel clinics say they are regularly fully booked 6 to 8 weeks in advance, which is exactly why pharmacy travel clinics like this one hold back some appointment slots each week for travellers who are flying soon.

Which travel vaccines are available at Westfield Road?

The pharmacist can advise on and provide vaccination against yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis ACWY, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and cholera, along with malaria prevention advice for destinations where it's needed. Which of these you actually need depends entirely on your itinerary; the pharmacist will explain who each vaccine is usually recommended for under official guidance, rather than recommending everything on the list.

Not every vaccine is free. NHS Scotland covers diphtheria, polio and tetanus combined boosters, hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera vaccines for eligible patients through local health board travel services; yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and rabies are normally charged for privately wherever you have them done. See current prices for what's charged here rather than assuming a figure.

Is Westfield Road a yellow fever vaccination centre?

Yes. Avante Pharmacy is a designated UK Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, number UKYFVC10709, so it can issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) that some countries require for entry. Yellow fever vaccine is only available from designated centres like this one, not a standard GP or high-street pharmacy appointment. Not every clinic day has a vaccinator available for yellow fever specifically, so call ahead on 0131 287 2020 to confirm which day suits before you visit. Read more about yellow fever vaccination in Edinburgh.

NHS or private: where should I go for travel vaccinations in Edinburgh?

NHS Lothian runs six travel clinics across the area, including a hub at the Western General Hospital, and can provide some vaccines free of charge to eligible patients, but the service is regularly booked six to eight weeks in advance and its booking line (0131 537 2823) is staffed Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm only. A pharmacy travel clinic like Westfield Road complements this rather than replacing it: it's often the quicker route to an appointment, particularly if you're travelling soon or need a vaccine the NHS service doesn't stock, such as yellow fever. Read more on where to get travel vaccinations in Edinburgh.

Do you have to pay for vaccines at a travel clinic?

Some vaccines are free through the NHS in Scotland if you go through your local health board's travel service; others, including yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and rabies, are normally charged for wherever you have them, NHS or private. At a pharmacy travel clinic like this one, everything beyond the standard NHS-funded list is a private charge; see current prices rather than assuming a figure, since it depends entirely on which vaccines your trip needs.

Finding us in Gorgie

The clinic is inside the Sainsbury's on Westfield Road, next to Tynecastle and a short walk from Gorgie Road, with the supermarket's own car park right outside, genuinely useful if you're combining a pre-trip shop with your appointment. It's the only Edinburgh travel clinic set up this way, so you can pick up sun cream, insect repellent and travel-size toiletries on the same visit.

If you live further along Gorgie Road, or over towards Dalry, Sighthill, Currie or Balerno, this is usually the nearest of the three Avante branches. You can also compare it with the Gorgie & Dalry, Sighthill and Currie & Balerno area pages, or the more central Brougham Place travel clinic if that's easier for your commute.

Opening hours

Booking your appointment

You can book online or call 0131 287 2020. Booking early gives you the best chance of completing a multi-dose course before you fly, but if your trip is close, call anyway; there is usually something useful the pharmacist can still do at short notice.