Recommended Vaccinations and Medications for Travel to Tanzania
For travel to Tanzania, you should receive hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever vaccinations, ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date, and carry malaria prophylaxis medication such as atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline. 1
Required and Strongly Recommended Vaccinations
Yellow Fever Vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccination is critical for Tanzania travel - while Tanzania is not entirely a yellow fever endemic area, proof of vaccination is frequently checked at borders and airports 2
- Must be administered at least 10 days before travel for full protection
- Valid for life, though official certification lasts 10 years 1
- Important note: Yellow fever vaccine checks in Tanzania are unpredictable and non-systematic, but most common at land borders and Arusha airport 2
- If you cannot receive yellow fever vaccine due to medical contraindications, obtain a medical exemption certificate
Routine Vaccinations (ensure these are up-to-date)
- Tetanus-diphtheria (recommended booster every 10 years)
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
- Polio (particularly important for Africa travel)
- Influenza (seasonal)
Hepatitis A
- Strongly recommended for all travelers to Tanzania
- Provides >95% protection after a single dose
- Long-lasting protection (>20 years) 3
Typhoid Fever
- Recommended, especially for travelers visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas
- Available as injectable (inactivated) or oral (live) vaccine
- Injectable form preferred for most travelers 1
Medications for Malaria Prevention
Tanzania is a high-risk area for malaria. Prophylactic medication is essential:
Atovaquone/Proguanil (Malarone)
- Begin 1-2 days before entering malaria-endemic area
- Take daily during stay and for 7 days after leaving 4
- Advantages: Few side effects, short post-travel course
Doxycycline
- Begin 1-2 days before travel to malaria area
- Take daily during stay and for 4 weeks after leaving 5
- Advantages: Lower cost
- Disadvantages: Photosensitivity risk, longer post-travel course
Additional Malaria Prevention
- Use insect repellent containing DEET
- Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
- Wear long sleeves and pants from dusk to dawn
- Use air conditioning or window/door screens when available
Situational Vaccinations (Based on Activities and Duration)
Hepatitis B
- Recommended for:
- Stays longer than 30 days
- Travelers under 35 years old
- Those anticipating potential blood/body fluid exposure 3
Rabies
- Consider for:
Meningococcal Meningitis
- Consider for travelers to northern Tanzania (borders the "meningitis belt")
- Required for pilgrims to Saudi Arabia 3
Traveler's Diarrhea Prevention and Treatment
- Carry an antibiotic for self-treatment:
- Pack antidiarrheal medication (e.g., loperamide)
- Avoid antiperistaltic agents if you have high fever or bloody stools 1
Special Considerations
- Timing is crucial: Schedule vaccination appointment 4-6 weeks before travel
- Multiple vaccines: Can be administered simultaneously at different injection sites 1
- Documentation: Carry International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card)
- HIV-infected travelers: Special considerations apply for live vaccines like yellow fever - consult with infectious disease specialist 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Waiting too late for vaccinations - some require multiple doses or time to develop immunity
- Neglecting malaria prophylaxis - Tanzania has high malaria risk year-round
- Relying on oral typhoid vaccine if immunocompromised - use injectable form instead 1
- Traveling without yellow fever documentation - can result in forced vaccination or fines at borders 2
- Focusing only on exotic vaccines while neglecting routine ones - many outbreaks involve preventable diseases like measles
Remember that vaccination requirements can change, so check the CDC or WHO websites for the most current recommendations before your trip.