As a foreigner going to Africa, you’re vulnerable to tropical diseases that aren’t common in your home country like malaria, typhoid, hepatitis, and others.

Getting all the relevant vaccination shots is a very crucial part of planning for a successful safari trip to Africa. Some requried vaccinations are mandatory to go to Africa (depending on the country) while others are important to keep healthy during your stay.

This list includes the vaccines you might need but you should first check with your doctor or visit any travel clinic near you to get proper advice on which shots to take for your destination.

Important vaccinations to get before going to Africa

1.      Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes found in countries of the west, east, and central African regions (known as the Yellow Fever Belt). While avoiding mosquito bites is almost impossible, vaccination is a preventive measure.

In African countries where yellow fever is prevalent, WHO recommends regular vaccinations for every person older than 9 months. It further recommends routine vaccinations for all travelers (with a few exceptions) visiting areas where there is a huge risk of yellow fever.

Travelers without any prior vaccinations are most advised to get shots, while those with at least some background should also get booster shots. Many countries need proof of vaccination against yellow fever before they give you a visa, especially if travelers come from or have gone to a country where yellow fever is prevalent.

2.      Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, and it can happen for many reasons. Hepatitis A is a mild form of Hepatitis and can spread by eating contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B is blood-borne and can be transmitted by exchange of bodily fluids, e.g., blood-to-blood contact.  Hepatitis can result in lifelong illness and getting shots against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are essential when traveling to Africa.

3.      Malaria

Although it is one of the most prevalent diseases, particularly in mosquito-prone areas, malaria is treatable and preventable with antimalarial vaccination. You can get malaria in any part of Africa, therefore it’s necessary to get the vaccination before you go to Africa. Visitors to the continent are more vulnerable than locals who have developed a bit of tolerance for the disease.

4.      Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

The MMR vaccine provides protection against a combination of diseases (measles, mumps, and rubella) and is important to have when going to Africa. It’s mostly administered to children but adults traveling internationally should also get the shot especially if they haven’t developed natural immunity against the MMR diseases.

5.      Cholera

Cholera vaccination is needed when going to Africa because you may be easily exposed to contaminated water and food. Symptoms are normally modest, and in some situations, there are no symptoms at all. But, even mild cholera signs, such as diarrhea or vomiting, can ruin your safari. Cholera infection can cause death within hours if not promptly treated.

6.      Typhoid

Typhoid fever is another food and water-borne disease that you can easily contract while going to Africa. While it’s not as fatal as Cholera, it can cause a lot of discomfort and ruin your travel experience. You should get the typhoid vaccination at least one month before you go to Africa.

7.      Influenza or flu

While in Africa, you can easily come into contact with people or animals exposed to different strains of the influence virus found in your home country. So, this is among the vital immunizations to take before going to Africa. If you plan on going for gorilla treks then flu vaccinations are mandatory because the human common cold can easily kill the animals.

8.      Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammatory disease that attacks membranes covering both the spinal cord and brain. It is important that you take a meningitis vaccination when visiting Africa since 10 to 15% of cases can result in death.

The disease also poses side effects such as brain damage, deafness, and amputations. Travelers going to parts of Africa regarded as the “meningitis belt” or the Sub-Saharan countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana, are required to get vaccinated at least 10 days before their trip.

9.      Rabies

If you plan to visit farms and interact with animals, an anti-rabies vaccination is needed. Rabies is often spread by getting a scratch or bite from an infected animal.

10.  Polio, Diphtheria, and Tetanus

While the Polio immunization is administered worldwide, you may be required to have a certificate showing your Polia vaccination status. You can consider getting a combination booster vaccine that covers polio, diphtheria, and tetanus before going to Africa just to increase your immunity protection against these diseases.

Health safety tips when going to Africa

Staying healthy while in Africa requires you to follow basic safety protocols as follows.

• Get all the recommended vaccines
• Be careful with street food and only eat from hygienic and well-sanitized places
• Stay hydrated
• Use sunscreen
• Carry a sanitizer
• Have health travel insurance
• If you feel sick, get proper treatment as soon as possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What vaccinations do you need before you go to East Africa?

You require booster vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, and Polio, plus other vaccines for Rabies, Meningitis, Typhoid, and yellow fever.

Do children need to be vaccinated before traveling to Africa?

Yes, it’s important for children to be vaccinated to avoid some local diseases in Africa. Some of the common vaccinations for children include tuberculosis, whooping cough, measles, and polio.

What medications do you require to go to Africa?

Alongside any medication that you regularly use, you can also consider carrying antimalarial drugs when traveling to Africa. Malaria is very common and taking anti-malarial beforehand can prevent it.

Winding up

The vaccinations needed when going to Africa greatly vary depending on your destination. However, there are vaccinations common to almost all countries and are required before entry. Always ensure you have all the important vaccinations to be safe and healthy during your African trip.