Travel Vaccines and Advice for Chad
Landlocked in the northern central region of Africa, Chad is a country full of cultural and geographical diversity. With cities sprawling across the sahara desert, it offers a national park, national museum and a rich gastronomic scene.
Travelers can grab a cold beer during a brewery tour at Gala Brewery in Moundou, where the country’s most popular lager is produced.
In N’Djamena, the country’s capital, travelers may find camel hair carpets and leatherware at the daily market during the day.
From the natural to man-made, travelers can enjoy many of Chad’s unique offerings.
Do I Need Vaccines for Chad?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Chad. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Chad: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Recommended for travelers to most regions. - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Recommended for travelers
to most regions. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
The Salamat and Sila regions have had recent cholera outbreaks. Recommended for most travelers. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travelers over 9 months of age traveling south of the Sahara desert. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Chad |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Recommended for travelers to most regions. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | The Salamat and Sila regions have had recent cholera outbreaks. Recommended for most travelers. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travelers over 9 months of age traveling south of the Sahara desert. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
Routine Vaccinations for Chad |
||
| 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 & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
There is a risk of contracting malaria in Chad. The risk for most travelers is considered high throughout the country. Share your itinerary with a travel medicine specialist to see if an antimalarial regime is right for you.
The medical care in most Chadian cities and towns is limited. Hospitals are located in the cities and larger towns. But, for those staying in rural areas, there may be a need to travel at least a day to get to the nearest physician.
Travelers should avoid contact with animals like dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds and bats it could lead to infections like avian influenza and rabies.
For more details on any of the above vaccinations, visit the detailed Passport Health specialty vaccination pages or make an appointment with your local Travel Medicine Specialist. To book your appointment either call or book online now.
Is There Cholera in Chad?
There is currently no cholera outbreak in Chad. Cases are rare and can be avoided with some health precautions. Despite the lack of a current epidemic, a cholera vaccine is still recommended before travel.
Passport Health clinics throughout the United States carry Vaxchora, the only cholera vaccine available in the US.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health Travel Vaccines for Chad
“My wife and I are going to Africa and needed information of shots and warnings for Chad. Passport Health was extremely helpful in answering our questions .”
“This was my second visit to Passport Health. The staff is very knowledgeable, and I feel that I am all prepared now for my trip to Chad. I was provided with more than enough information and will visit this office (Chicago) if necessary in the future. I will also recommend your services to friends and relatives if your services are required.”
“Very knowledgeable staff and was able to explain clearly the risk of traveling to Chad. She did an excellent job of explaining exposure, treatment, symptoms, etc. and took the time to ensure my complete understanding and addressed all my questions.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Chad?
All US citizens must have a visa to travel to Chad.
A valid passport and proof of yellow fever vaccine are required as the country is still working on eradicating the disease.
Your passport must have 2 blank pages. If your passport does not meet this requirement, your visa request will likely be denied.
Chad Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Chad? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
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| Tourist Visa | |
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| Business Visa | |
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| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Chad and U.S. State Department
It is required of first-time travelers to Chad to obtain a registration stamp through the National Police within 72 hours of arrival. Have two extra passport size photos ready for registration.
For more information, see our Chad visa page. Or contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
What is the Climate Like in Chad?
Chad tends to generally have a hot and tropical climate.Heat and humidity are to be expected.
The northern part of the country tends to be hot and arid and receives little to no rain. It is aptly named the ‘Saharan zone’. Towards the central part of Chad, the climate shifts into more tropical territory, experiencing rain from May to November. The South region of the country receives the most rain.
- N’Djamena – As the southwestern capital of Chad, N’Djamena experiences a short rainy season (June through September), and a longer dry season during the rest of the year. Temperatures range from as high as 106º Fahrenheit between March and June, as low as 58º Fahrenheit from November to February.
- Moundou – Moundou, located in southern Chad, has a tropical climate. It’s warmest month is during April, when it reaches highs of 87º Fahrenheit, and its coldest month is January when temperatures hit a low of 76º Fahrenheit.
- Abeche – As a town in central Chad, Abeche has a desert climate and is considered the hottest major city in the country. The rainy season takes place from June to September. Abeche’s hottest months range from June to September. Temperatures reach highs of 104º Fahrenheit. Its cooler months are from November to January with lows averaging 61º to 65º Fahrenheit.
How Safe Is Chad?
As in most major cities, criminal activity increases after dark. Cars are sometimes targeted for armed robberies, and crime may take place in the residential areas of N’Djamena, the capital.
It is suggested to use cars as the main mode of transportation. Avoid traveling at night by foot or motorbike. At your lodging, doors and windows should be kept locked. Valuables should be kept out of sight at whenever possible.
Do not hail taxis from the street, and have a hotel or reliable contact arrange a driver in advance. Sit in the back seat of taxis, ensure doors are locked, and keep bags at your feet.
The U.S. government has many more safety travel tips for visiting Chad, if needed.
Traveling to the Colored Lakes of Ounianga
The lakes of Ounianga are a series of 18 interconnected lakes recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. Located deep in the Sahara Desert, the lakes are no mirage, but rather an oasis in the middle of the dry sandy land.
To get to Ounianga, it is necessary to schedule at least four days of travel into your itinerary if departing from N’Djamena.
What Should I Take To Chad?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Chad:
- French/Arabic to English Dictionary – There are over 100 recognized languages in Chad. But, its official languages are both French and Arabic. Depending on the region of the country you’re planning to visit, either of the two languages could be predominant, so it’s wise to keep two dictionaries handy.
- Water Purification Tablets– If you have plans on camping or visiting remote areas, the cleanliness of water may be compromised. It is wise to carry purification tablets and use bottled water to drink, and brush teeth.
- Sun Protective Clothing – The sun in Chad tends to be pretty strong during the summer. Bring a hat, and sunglasses to protect you from strong sun rays.
- Cash – There are only a few ATM machines in Chad. MasterCard and Visa are accepted at two hotels in N’Djamena.
- Jacket– Nights in the desert can be cold. A warm jacket can shield you from cold desert gusts in the evenings.
U.S. Embassy in Chad
All Americans visiting Chad should register online with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
If you plan to buy a local SIM card you can also enter your phone number to receive SMS updates from the office.
U.S. Embassy Chad
Avenue Felix Eboue
B.P. 413
Ndjamena, Chad
Email: NdjamenaACS@state.gov
Visit the U.S. Embassy in Chad before leaving to confirm correct contact details for the office.
The U.S. Department of State also operates a 24 hour Emergency Operations Center. The collect call number to reach the center while abroad is +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444.
If you have any questions about traveling to Chad or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment by calling or book online now!
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Chad?
Is There Cholera in Chad?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Chad?
What is the Climate Like in Chad?
How Safe is Chad?
Traveling to the Colored Lakes of Ounianga
What Should I Take to Chad?
U.S. Embassy in Chad
