Residents who have been making the trek into Calgary to double check the health dangers of travelling abroad can now find all pertinent information and services right here in Airdrie.
Polaris Travel Clinic, located at 404-191 Edwards Way, offers residents a medical professional’s services to address health concerns before travelling.
At a pre-travel consultation, a traveller’s health risk is evaluated based on their destination, type of accommodations, duration and time of year of travel and planned activities on the trip. Medical history and current health status is factored in as well.
“It’s important to be aware of the possible health risks while out of the country,” said Jason Kmet, owner and pharmacist, in a press release. “Having consultation with a trained professional can help put those risks in context whether you are going to an all-inclusive resort, African safari or a business trip to China.”
Polaris provides pre-travel consultations, administers vaccines, writes and fills travel-related prescriptions and carries travel-related, over-the-counter medications. It also stocks travel and health specialty items such as mosquito bed nets and water purification tablets.
Local resident Eric Hvidsten returned from a trip to a resort in Mexico, Feb. 15, and said getting the medical facts about your destination is very important.
“You are going to get trapped in a foreign country with some disease and not really know what to do,” said Hvidsten. “It’s better to not spend a whole vacation sitting around sick. This gets you really prepared to go.”
Hvidsten did not consult with a travel clinic prior to his departure, as he has been to Mexico before and has been immunized, but said it’s handy to have the service in Airdrie.
“It’s amazing to have them because normally you have to go to Calgary, or book with your personal doctor and shell out a bunch of extra money. It’s just good to have it all in the same place,” said Hvidsten.
For more information about the clinic, visit www.polaristravelclinic.ca or call 403-980-TRIP (8747).
