Travel Vaccines and Advice for Mauritania
Mauritania is one of the least-densely populated countries in the world, with many of its citizens residing in a single city. The majority of the population is concentrated in the south due to the desert region in the north.
Human Rights issues are present in Mauritania, mostly slavery, in which 4% of the population is enslaved. Mauritania has also received international scrutiny for its justice system.
Mauritania has a variety of languages including French, Pulaar, Soninke, and different forms of Arabic. Nearly everyone in the country practices Islam.
Do I Need Vaccines for Mauritania?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Mauritania. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Mauritania: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, 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 –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travelers over 9 months of age traveleing south of the Sahara. - 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 –
Southern regions are 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 Mauritania |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| 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. |
| 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 | Southern regions are located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June) |
Routine Vaccinations for Mauritania |
||
| 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 separately. 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. |
Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for entry to Mauritania. The mosquito-borne disease is still present in the African nation.
Malaria is also a risk for travelers to the region. Antimalarial medication is recommended.
Dengue and chikungunya are two more mosquito-borne infections found in Mauritania. While there is no vaccine against these diseases, repellents and mosquito netting are the best forms of protection.
Medical care is limited in Mauritania. There are facilities in large urban areas, but pharmacies may not be well-stocked. It is advised that you bring your own prescriptions and medicines.
See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health Travel Vaccines for Mauritania
“I arrived 1 hour early and was seen immediately. Reviewed my immunization record and gave gave only immunization that was required. Reviewed the Country Mauritania and recommended a wellness kit which was prescribed for pickup at my pharmacy and received travel tip booklet on various diseases. Overall a very pleasant and friendly experience.”
“The nurse gave us so much information about our trip to Mauritania that we are feeling a lot mor confident about what we need to do to stay healthy.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Mauritania?
A visa, valid passport and proof of yellow fever vaccination are required to enter Mauritania.
Mauritania Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Mauritania? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
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| Tourist Visa | |
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| Business Visa | |
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| Vaccinations | |
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Sources: Embassy of Mauritania and U.S. State Department
It is best to obtain your visa before arrival to avoid any unforeseen difficulty when entering the country.
For more information, see our Mauritania 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 Mauritania?
The majority of the Mauritania is a desert climate. The southern regions are semi-desert in the summer monsoon season (June-October).
Day-time temperatures can reach over 100 degrees and nights are often under 55.
Trade winds and rain are the biggest factors determining temperatures.
How Safe is Mauritania?
There is currently a travel warning for all U.S. citizens traveling to Mauritania. This travel warning is due to terrorist activity in the neighboring country of Mali.
It is discouraged to travel outside of urban areas or use roads outside of urban areas. If this is a necessity for you, you should travel in a convoy and with a guide. There is a risk of landmines in the Western Sahara.
U.S. citizens have been targets for violent crimes in Nouakchott, including armed robberies.
Bird Watching in Mauritania
Along the Atlantic coast, Parc National du Banc d’Arguin welcomes birds of all species that are migrating from Europe to Africa. Recognized as a World-Heritage site, this national park is the perfect place for bird-watching and is considered one of the best places to birdwatch in Africa.
You can enter the park best by boat if you take one from a small village called Iwik. The park itself is made up of sand-dunes, swamps and coastal waters.
Millions of birds are recorded coming to this spot every year, including sandpipers, flamingos, pelicans, and egrets.
The best time of year to visit the park is in December and January, which is mating season.
What Should I Take To Mauritania?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Mauritania:
- Modest Dress – Any jewelry can be seen as immodest.
- Scarf – Women should wear scarves to cover their heads.
- Glasses – If you wear contacts, you might want to consider glasses due to blowing sand.
- Water Purification Tablets – To avoid contaminated drinking water.
U.S. Embassy in Mauritania
All Americans visiting Mauritania should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. 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.
Once in Mauritania, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott
288, Rue 42-100
Telephone: +(222) 4525-2660
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(222) 3662-8163
Fax: (222) 4525-1592
Email: ConsularNKC@state.gov
If you have any questions about traveling to Mauritania or are wondering what shots you may need for your trip, schedule an appointment with your local Passport Health travel medicine clinic. Call us at or book online now and protect yourself today.
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Mauritania?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Mauritania?
What is the Climate Like in Mauritania?
How Safe is Mauritania?
Bird Watching in Mauritania
What Should I Take To Mauritania?
U.S. Embassy in Mauritania
