Recommended Vaccines for Travel to Nigeria
Travelers to Nigeria should receive yellow fever vaccination, meningococcal vaccination (especially during dry season), hepatitis A, typhoid, and ensure routine vaccinations are up-to-date before travel. 1
Required Vaccines
- Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Nigeria from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and is strongly recommended for all travelers for protection against the disease 1
- Yellow fever vaccination must be documented with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), which becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and remains valid for 10 years 1
- The certificate must be properly completed, signed, and stamped by an authorized vaccination center to be considered valid 1
Highly Recommended Vaccines
- Meningococcal vaccination is strongly recommended, especially for travelers visiting during the dry season (December-June) when traveling to areas in the "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa, which includes Nigeria 1
- Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for most travelers due to risk of foodborne and waterborne exposure 2, 3
- Typhoid vaccination is recommended, especially for those visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or who may consume food from local markets 2, 3
Routine Vaccinations to Update
- Ensure MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination is current before traveling, as measles remains endemic in many countries 4, 2
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination should be reviewed and updated 4, 2
- Polio vaccination should be current, with travelers to developing countries like Nigeria needing to be immune to poliomyelitis 1, 2
- Influenza vaccination is recommended, particularly for those at high risk for complications 4, 2
Consider Based on Risk Assessment
- Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for travelers who may have sexual contact with new partners, receive medical/dental treatment, or have potential exposure to blood or bodily fluids 4, 3
- Rabies vaccination should be considered for travelers involved in outdoor activities, working with animals, or staying for extended periods 2, 3
Timing and Administration
- Ideally, start vaccinations 4-6 weeks before departure to ensure adequate time for developing immunity 4, 3
- 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 4, 3
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, 3
- Travelers with medical exemptions to yellow fever vaccination should obtain a waiver letter from their physician, though this may not be accepted by Nigerian authorities 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failing to get vaccinations with enough lead time before travel (start 4-6 weeks before departure) 4, 3
- Not carrying proper documentation of vaccinations, especially the yellow fever certificate which is required at border crossings 1
- Focusing only on travel-specific vaccines while neglecting routine vaccinations 4, 2
- Underestimating the importance of meningococcal vaccination, particularly during the dry season (December-June) 1