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Travel Vaccines and Advice for North and West Africa

West African beaches, bazaars in Tangiers and the Pyramids of Giza are just a few reasons to visit North and West Africa. Before they go, travelers need to ensure they’re health and safety is protected while abroad.

On This Page:
What Vaccines Do I Need for North and West Africa?
Are There Other Health Concerns in North and West Africa?
What Are the Entry Requirements in North and West Africa?
Traveling to Another Destination?

Passport Health offers personalized care, medications and vaccinations care for your trip. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.

Countries in this region include:

Algeria
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cape Verde
Cote d’Ivoire
Egypt
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Liberia
Libya
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Niger
Nigeria
Saint Helena
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Sudan
Togo
Tunisia
Western Sahara

The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travelers to North and West Africa: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, anthrax and meningitis.

Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, this includes: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and polio.

Anthrax vaccination may be required by companies or the U.S. government for certain individuals working or traveling through specific regions. Be sure to contact your organization if you are part of one of these groups.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travelers, based on their specific itinerary.

Some countries in North and West Africa fall in the meningitis belt, a region with active seasonal transmission of meningitis. Make sure you are up to date on this vaccination.

See the table below for more vaccination information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for North and West Africa
VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
COVID-19 Airborne & Direct Contact Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination
Hepatitis A Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travelers to all regions.
Hepatitis B Contaminated Body
Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.) 		Recommended for most
travelers to all regions.
Typhoid Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travelers to all regions.
Cholera Contaminated Food
or Water 		May be recommended based
on your specific itinerary.
Yellow Fever Mosquito-borne May be recommended or required
for some regions.
Rabies Infected Animals Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers
and those who may come in contact with animals.
Anthrax Animals or Biological Agents May be required for certain types of travelers,
especially government personnel.
Meningitis Airborne or
Direct Contact 		Normally, a routine vaccination.
Active transmission in some parts of the region.

Recommended Routine Vaccinations for North and West Africa
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 and Pertussis) Wounds or
Airborne 		One adult booster of pertussis recommended
for most travelers.
Influenza Airborne Generally recommended for all travelers.
Vaccine components change annually.
Chickenpox Direct Contact
or Airborne 		Given to those unvaccinated that
did not have chickenpox.
Shingles Direct Contact Recommended for individuals 50+. Vaccine can
still be given if you have had shingles.
Pneumonia Airborne All individuals 65+ or immunocompromised
should receive this vaccine.
Polio Contaminated Food
or Water 		Generally considered a routine vaccination.
Single adult booster recommended.

Sources: CDC, WHO and ISTM

Customer Reviews

Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for North and West Africa

Overall rating: 5 stars – 7 reviews
★★★★★
“Efficient and Comprehensive Clinic“
“My visit to Passport Health was both efficient and comprehensive. The nurse was great! She helped me get exactly what I needed for my upcoming business trip in Africa!”

Submitted by: Danielle
★★★★★
“Fantastic Service“
“The nurse was very knowledgeable and provided lots of useful information about Africa.”

Submitted by: Jan
★★★★★
“On time, easy and painless“
“I’ve been using PH now for some time and they have always been totally professional, right on time for appointments and the shots I’ve had always painless.”

Submitted by: Lionel
★★★★★
“Very Helpful“
“I feel much more educated and prepared to go to Africa. All of my questions have my been answered and my mind has been put to ease.”

Submitted by: Ashley
★★★★★
“Great Service“
“My travel nurse was very friendly and answered all of my questions about North Africa in a kind way.”

Submitted by: Kelly
★★★★★
“Ready for Africa“
“The nurse was very open and friendly. I’m nervous about shots and she took the time to show me compassion and make me feel comfortable. Would definitely recommend.”

Submitted by: Mary
★★★★★
“Thank you!“
“Comprehensive information provided with the recommendations made for Africa.”

Submitted by: Anne

Cases of dengue and chikungunya can, and do, occur in various parts of North and West Africa. Other insect-borne infections are also present that can cause serious or fatal symptoms. Be sure to use mosquito repellent and netting regularly while in the region.

Malaria is also present in some parts of the region. Antimalarials will be recommended based on your need and drug resistance within the area.

Travelers’ diarrhea can be a serious risk for travelers in North and West Africa. Medical facilities are often lacking resources, meaning you should take what you may need with you. Passport Health offers a variety of travelers’ diarrhea kits specifically deisgned to help you with symptoms and even avoid the illness.

A tourist or business visa is required for almost all countries in North and West Africa. Some airlines will not allow you to board your flight if you do not have a visa.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to some countries as well. Other may require proof if traveling from a region with active infection. Check individual destination advice pages to learn more.

Do I Need a Passport or Visa for My Trip?
Passport Tourist Visa Business Visa Required
Vaccinations
Algeria table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Benin table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Burkina Faso table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Cape Verde / Cape Verde table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Cote d’Ivoire table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Egypt table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Gambia table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Ghana table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Guinea table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Guinea-Bissau table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Liberia table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Libya table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Mali table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Mauritania table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Morocco table check mark
Niger table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Nigeria table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Saint Helena table check mark table check mark
Senegal table check mark table check mark
Sierra Leone table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Sudan table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Togo table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Tunisia table check mark
Western Sahara table check mark table check mark table check mark

Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.

Traveling outside of North and West Africa? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!

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