Travel Vaccines and Advice for Chad
Landlocked in the northern central region of Africa, Chad is a country full of cultural and geographical diversity. With cities sprawling across the sahara desert, it offers a national park, national museum and a rich gastronomic scene.
Travellers can grab a cold beer during a brewery tour at Gala Brewery in Moundou, where the country’s most popular lager is produced.
In N’Djamena, the country’s capital, travellers may find camel hair carpets and leatherware at the daily market during the day.
From the natural to man-made, travellers can enjoy many of Chad’s unique offerings.
Do I Need Vaccines for Chad?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Chad. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Chad: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travellers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travellers
to most regions. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
The Salamat and Sila regions have had recent cholera outbreaks. Recommended for most travellers. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age travelling south of the Sahara desert. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Chad |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travellers to most regions. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | The Salamat and Sila regions have had recent cholera outbreaks. Recommended for most travellers. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age travelling south of the Sahara desert. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
Routine Vaccinations for Chad |
||
| 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 & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
There is a risk of contracting malaria in Chad. The risk for most travellers is considered high throughout the country. Share your itinerary with a travel medicine specialist to see if an antimalarial regime is right for you.
The medical care in most Chadian cities and towns is limited. Hospitals are located in the cities and larger towns. But, for those staying in rural areas, there may be a need to travel at least a day to get to the nearest physician.
Travellers should avoid contact with animals like dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds and bats it could lead to infections like avian influenza and rabies.
For more details on any of the above vaccinations, visit the detailed Passport Health specialty vaccination pages or make an appointment with your local Travel Medicine Specialist. To book your appointment either call or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Chad
“The nurse who administered the vaccines was very knowledgeable about Chad and kind. She explained everything I needed to know and was very fun to talk to. The person who booked the appointment on the phone was also very professional and genuine.”
“The nurse was so informative about the vaccinations/medications we required for Chad and answered all our questions about our travel itinerary. It was comforting to know we were in such knowledgeable and experienced hands. I highly recommend visiting the Passport Health office in Oakville!”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Chad
All tourism and business trips require a visa to Chad, even with a valid Canadian passport. If you do not meet the entry requirements, Canadian officials are unable to intervene on your behalf. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date.
Chad Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Chad? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
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| Tourist Visa | |
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| Business Visa | |
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| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Chad and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Chad?
Chad tends to generally have a hot and tropical climate.Heat and humidity are to be expected.
The northern part of the country tends to be hot and arid and receives little to no rain. It is aptly named the ‘Saharan zone’. Towards the central part of Chad, the climate shifts into more tropical territory, experiencing rain from May to November. The South region of the country receives the most rain.
- N’Djamena – As the southwestern capital of Chad, N’Djamena experiences a short rainy season (June through September), and a longer dry season during the rest of the year. Temperatures range from as high as 41 degrees Celsius between March and June, as low as 14 degrees Celsius from November to February.
- Moundou – Moundou, located in southern Chad, has a tropical climate. It’s warmest month is during April, when it reaches highs of 31 degrees Celsius, and its coldest month is January when temperatures hit a low of 24 degrees Celsius.
- Abeche – As a town in central Chad, Abeche has a desert climate and is considered the hottest major city in the country. The rainy season takes place from June to September. Abeche’s hottest months range from June to September. Temperatures reach highs of 40 degrees Celsius. Its cooler months are from November to January with lows averaging 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
How Safe is Chad?
As in most major cities, criminal activity increases after dark. Cars are sometimes targeted for armed robberies, and crime may take place in the residential areas of N’Djamena, the capital.
It is suggested to use cars as the main mode of transportation. Avoid travelling at night by foot or motorbike. At your lodging, doors and windows should be kept locked. Valuables should be kept out of sight at whenever possible.
Do not hail taxis from the street, and have a hotel or reliable contact arrange a driver in advance. Sit in the back seat of taxis, ensure doors are locked, and keep bags at your feet.
Travelling to the Colored Lakes of Ounianga
The lakes of Ounianga are a series of 18 interconnected lakes recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. Located deep in the Sahara Desert, the lakes are no mirage, but rather an oasis in the middle of the dry sandy land.
To get to Ounianga, it is necessary to schedule at least four days of travel into your itinerary if departing from N’Djamena.
What Should I Take To Chad?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Chad:
- French/Arabic to English Dictionary – There are over 100 recognized languages in Chad. But, its official languages are both French and Arabic. Depending on the region of the country you’re planning to visit, either of the two languages could be predominant, so it’s wise to keep two dictionaries handy.
- Water Purification Tablets– If you have plans on camping or visiting remote areas, the cleanliness of water may be compromised. It is wise to carry purification tablets and use bottled water to drink, and brush teeth.
- Sun Protective Clothing – The sun in Chad tends to be pretty strong during the summer. Bring a hat, and sunglasses to protect you from strong sun rays.
- Cash – There are only a few ATM machines in Chad. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at two hotels in N’Djamena.
- Jacket– Nights in the desert can be cold. A warm jacket can shield you from cold desert gusts in the evenings.
Canadian Embassy in Chad
Chad does not have its own embassy. The Embassy of Canada in Sudan is the closest location. But, the Consulate General of Chad is still available for various needs and emergency services.
If you plan to buy a local SIM card you can also enter your phone number to receive SMS updates from the office.
Consulate General of Canada in N’Djamena
Street Address
Rue 1190, Quartier Moursal,
Côté Dembé, N’Djamena, Chad
+235 631 95680
If you have any questions about travelling to Chad or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment by calling or book online now!
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Chad?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Chad
What is the Climate Like in Chad?
How Safe is Chad?
Travelling to the Colored Lakes of Ounianga
What Should I Take to Chad?
Canadian Embassy in Chad
