From the Guidelines
When traveling to Africa, it is essential to get vaccinated against yellow fever, meningococcal disease, and other diseases to minimize the risk of morbidity and mortality, and to ensure a good quality of life during and after the trip. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, recommends meningococcal vaccination for travelers to the "meningitis belt" across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during the dry season. Some key points to consider when traveling to Africa include:
- Getting routine vaccines like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, polio, and your yearly flu shot
- Receiving hepatitis A and B vaccines, which are strongly advised
- Obtaining yellow fever vaccination, which is required for entry into many African countries and must be documented with an International Certificate of Vaccination
- Considering typhoid vaccination, available as either an injectable (one dose) or oral (four capsules taken every other day)
- Getting meningococcal vaccine, which is essential if traveling to the "meningitis belt" across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly during the dry season, as recommended by 1
- Considering rabies vaccination (three doses over 21-28 days) if you'll be in remote areas or around animals
- Possibly receiving cholera vaccine (Vaxchora, single oral dose) for certain regions
- Taking medication for malaria prevention, such as atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine, although this is not a vaccine. It is crucial to consult a travel medicine specialist ideally 4-6 weeks before your trip to ensure adequate time for vaccines to become effective, as recommended by 1 and 1.
From the Research
Vaccines for Travel to Africa
- Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory before entering certain countries in Africa 2, 3
- Vaccination against meningococcal disease is recommended for travelers visiting the African "meningitis belt" during the dry season 3
- Hepatitis A vaccination should be recommended to all travelers going to endemic areas, including Africa 2, 3
- Typhoid fever vaccination may be considered for persons spending longer periods in endemic areas, although South Asia is the most important region where travel-associated typhoid fever is acquired 2, 3
- Rabies vaccination should be considered for travelers who may come into contact with potentially rabid animals 2, 3
- Japanese encephalitis vaccination is not typically required for travel to Africa, as the disease is more commonly found in South-East Asia 2, 3
- Cholera vaccination is usually not indicated in the context of travel medicine, as the disease is extremely rare in travelers 3
- Polio booster may be required for countries with endemic wild-type polio virus (WPV) or circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV) 3
- Measles and influenza vaccinations are important in the context of travel medicine, and gaps in routine vaccination should be closed 3, 4