The African continent is full of wonders, with many of the most beautiful places on earth. Unfortunately, there are also several diseases here that may not be a problem in your home country.
Vaccinations are an important factor to consider before traveling to Africa. Some vaccinations are required by law to enter certain countries. Others are simply important to make sure you don’t spend your safari time in bed recovering from an illness.
The most important thing to do before traveling is to talk to a medical professional. Don’t let your time on this magnificent continent be disturbed by worries about health.
Your local doctor will be able to give you up-to-date medical information about the countries you are planning to visit, and advice that is specific to you and your medical history. It’s important to do this before your trip.
Consulting a doctor should be part of your travel preparation process.
Routine vaccinations
There are some diseases that may not be prevalent in your home country thanks to widespread vaccination among the population, but may be more of an issue in other countries which do not have mass vaccination campaigns.
For this reason, even if you have been vaccinated before, it may be worth returning to your doctor for a booster shot just before your trip. A greater prevalence of the disease means a greater risk of contracting it, so giving your immunity a fresh boost might be a good idea.
Some routine vaccinations you should talk to your doctor about include:
- Flu;
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella);
- Polio;
- Hepatitis A & B;
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV); and
- DPT (diphtheria, pertussis or whooping cough, and tetanus).
See the CDC’s website for more information on routine vaccines for travelers.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is spread by a species of mosquito common in parts of Africa and South America. It’s easily preventable with a highly-effective vaccine that is readily accessible at most travel clinics.
Several African countries require vaccination against yellow fever prior to entry and more need it if you’ve recently been in one of the “yellow fever belt” countries.
See the CDC’s website for guidance on dealing with yellow fever and up-to-date information on vaccination entry requirements.
