What vaccinations are required for travel from Canada to Zambia?

Recommended Vaccines for Travel from Canada to Zambia

Travelers from Canada to Zambia should receive yellow fever vaccination, hepatitis A, typhoid, and ensure all routine vaccinations are up-to-date before departure. 1

Required Vaccines

• Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Zambia from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and is recommended for all travelers to protect against the disease 1
• Yellow fever vaccination must be documented with an International Certificate of Vaccination validated by an appropriate authority 1

Highly Recommended Vaccines

• Hepatitis A vaccination is strongly recommended due to risk of foodborne and waterborne exposure in Zambia 2, 3
• Typhoid vaccination is recommended, especially for those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or who may consume food from local markets 2
• Ensure routine vaccinations are current, including:
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 2
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) 2
  • Polio 2
  • Influenza (particularly important for high-risk individuals) 1, 2

Consider Based on Risk Assessment

• Hepatitis B vaccination for travelers who may have sexual contact with new partners, receive medical/dental treatment, or have potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids 2, 4
• Rabies vaccination for travelers involved in outdoor activities, working with animals, or staying for extended periods 2
• Meningococcal vaccination if traveling during meningitis season or to areas with current outbreaks 1
• Cholera vaccination may be considered based on specific regional risks 1

Timing and Administration

• Ideally, start vaccinations 4-6 weeks before departure to ensure adequate time for developing immunity 2, 5
• Yellow fever vaccine should be administered at least 10 days before travel for the certificate to be valid 1
• Multiple vaccines can be administered simultaneously without reducing effectiveness 1
• Yellow fever vaccine can be administered concurrently with hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and meningococcal vaccines 1
• If administering other live virus vaccines (not simultaneously with yellow fever), they should be given either on the same day or separated by at least 30 days 1

Special Considerations

• Yellow fever vaccine is contraindicated in persons with severe egg allergies, immunosuppression, or HIV with symptomatic manifestations 1
• Pregnant women should generally avoid live virus vaccines like yellow fever 1
• Travelers with medical exemptions to yellow fever vaccination should obtain a waiver letter from their physician 1
• Blood donation should be deferred for 2 weeks after receiving yellow fever vaccine 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Failing to get vaccinations with enough lead time before travel (start 4-6 weeks before departure) 2
• Focusing only on travel-specific vaccines while neglecting to update routine vaccinations 2, 6
• Not carrying proper documentation of vaccinations, especially the yellow fever certificate which may be required at border crossings 1
• Underestimating the risk of hepatitis A, which can be contracted through contaminated food and water even during short stays 3, 7