Travel Vaccines and Advice for Central and Southern Africa
Central and Southern Africa is one of the most popular destinations for travellers. Safaris in South Africa, hiking at Kilimanjaro and sunbathing at amazing beaches. There plenty to experience.
Passport Health offers a variety of immunizations and medications to help you travel safely. Some are even required to enter countries. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.
Countries in this region include:
What Vaccines Do I Need for Central and Southern Africa?
The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to Central and Southern Africa: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis and polio.
A variety of routine vaccinations are also recommended: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia.
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for most countries, especially if you are travelling to more than one. Make sure you can travel easily with Passport Health.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Central and Southern America |
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| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
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| Hepatitis A | Contaminated Food or Water |
Recommended for most travellers to all regions. |
| Hepatitis B | Contaminated Body Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.) |
Recommended for most travellers to all regions. |
| Typhoid | Contaminated Food or Water |
Recommended for most travellers to all regions. |
| Cholera | Contaminated Food or Water |
May be recommended based on your specific itinerary. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito-borne | May be recommended or required for most of the region. |
| Rabies | Infected Animals | Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne or Direct Contact |
Normally, a routine vaccination. Active transmission in some parts of the region. |
| Polio | Contaminated Food or Water |
Generally considered a routine vaccination. Present in some countries in the region. |
Recommended Routine Vaccinations for Central and Southern Africa |
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| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) | Wounds or Airborne |
One adult booster of pertussis recommended for most travellers. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Generally recommended for all travellers. Vaccine components change annually. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact or Airborne |
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Recommended for individuals 50+. Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | All individuals 65+ or immunocompromised should receive this vaccine. |
Are There Other Health Concerns in Central and Southern Africa?
A wide range of infections call Central and Southern Africa home.
Mosquito-borne Infections
Malaria is found in many of the countries in the region. Be sure to see your destination’s advice page and consult with a Passport Health travel health specialist.
Dengue, chikungunya and even Zika can be found in some parts of Central and Southern Africa. While there are no medications or vaccines to prevent these infection, there are things you can do. Be sure to use mosquito repellent regularly and consider using mosquito netting when outside. Avoid the outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Other Infections
A few countries in the region have had Ebola outbreaks over the last decade. While outbreaks are rare, they are also possible. If you hear of an outbreak in an area you will be travelling to, be sure to contact a Passport Health travel health specialist.
Travellers’ diarrhea is the most common risk to travellers in Central and Southern Africa. Be sure to have a travellers’ diarrhea kit as part of your preparations. These include items that can help prevent the illness or stop symptoms as quickly as they start.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Central and Southern Africa
“The staff was awesome!!! Did a great job explaining what we needed to know about Central Africa and answering all questions.”
“I needed to get a immunization records for my trip to Africa and the service was quick and prompt”
“Very happy wit he the information about Southern Africa I received. Very informative and very nice staff member.”
“The visit was quick as we just needed a second shot for our South African trip and the woman was very pleasant.”
“Best clinic ever. Informative, accommodating, courteous service.”
“Very informative, professional, no waiting and everything was really good.”
“Very professional, knowledgable, positive and helpful. I was recieved on time and felt at ease at all times. I’m definitely prepared for my African safari.”
“Very pleasant experience. I feel prepared for my trip to Central Africa.”
“Your lady that works with this place is absolutely amazing. She explains everything in detail it makes you feel comfortable. She is knowledgeable about your upcoming trip and offers great advice. I would recommend her and your location.”
“It was a very good experience and helpful in many ways. I did not expect to be informed so much on the countries that I was visiting in Central Africa. Great customer service, very personable.”
What Are the Entry Requirements in Central and Southern Africa?
Visas are required for the majority of countries in Central and Southern Africa. Often proof of yellow fever vaccination is also a requirement. Make sure you have both before leaving for your trip.
See the below table for more information:
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for My Trip? |
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| Passport | Tourist Visa | Business Visa | Required Vaccinations |
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| Angola |  |
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| Botswana | |
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| Burundi | |
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| Cameroon | |
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| Central African Republic | |
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| Chad | |
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| Comoros | |
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| Democratic Republic of the Congo |
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| Djibouti | |
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| Equatorial Guinea |
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| Eritrea | |
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| Ethiopia | |
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| Gabon | |
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| Kenya | |
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| Lesotho | |
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| Madagascar | |
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| Malawi | |
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| Mauritius | |
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| Mayotte | |
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| Mozambique | |
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| Namibia | |
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| Republic of the Congo | |
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| Réunion | |
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| São Tomé and Príncipe | |
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| Somalia | |
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| South Africa | |
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| South Sudan | |
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| Swaziland | |
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| Tanzania | |
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| Uganda | |
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| Zambia | |
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| Zimbabwe | |
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Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.
Travelling to Another Destination?
Travelling outside of Central and Southern America? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!
On This Page:
What Vaccines Do I Need for Central and Southern Africa?
Are There Other Health Concerns in Central and Southern Africa?
What Are the Entry Requirements in Central and Southern Africa?
Travelling to Another Destination?
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