VACCINATIONS|FIND A TRAVEL CLINIC|ADVICE
Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria; this is one of the most diverse regions in the world. Just make sure your pre-travel healthcare matches.

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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, travellers 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?
Travelling 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 PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to North and West Africa: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies 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 travelling through specific regions. Be sure to contact your organization if you are part of one of these groups.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travellers, 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 tables below for more vaccination information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for North and West Africa
VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Hepatitis A Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Hepatitis B Contaminated Body
Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.) 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Typhoid Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travellers 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 travellers
and those who may come in contact with animals.
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 travellers.
Influenza Airborne Generally recommended for all travellers.
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: PHAC, WHO and ISTM

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.

Travellers’ diarrhea can be a serious risk for travellers 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 travellers’ 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 travelling 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 / Cabo 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 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.

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

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