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.
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:
What Vaccines Do I Need for North and West Africa?
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.
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 |
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| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
Are There Other Health Concerns in North and West Africa?
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.
What Are the Entry Requirements in North and West Africa?
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.
Passport Health’s passports and visas team is ready to help you with all your travel needs. Contact us online or call 1-844-366-8472.
Do I Need a Passport or Visa for My Trip? |
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| Passport | Tourist Visa | Business Visa | Required Vaccinations |
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| Algeria |  |
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| Benin | |
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| Burkina Faso | |
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| Cape Verde / Cape Verde | |
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| Cote d’Ivoire | |
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| Egypt | |
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| Gambia | |
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| Ghana | |
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| Guinea | |
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| Guinea-Bissau | |
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| Liberia | |
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| Libya | |
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| Mali | |
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| Mauritania | |
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| Morocco | |
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| Niger | |
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| Nigeria | |
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| Saint Helena | |
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| Senegal | |
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| Sierra Leone | |
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| Sudan | |
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| Togo | |
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| Tunisia | |
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| Western Sahara | |
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Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.
Traveling to Another Destination?
Traveling outside of North and West Africa? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!
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?
