I am curious about a few of the details involved with travel to Africa. I am sure I will get lots of info from you great guys here on the Africa forum.



Does a person have to have any required/mandatory immunizations before traveling to Africa?

I figured a person needs a Travel Visa but I also rememered mention of immunizations.

Thanks in advance.

This varies from country to country, and their embassys will inform you of any requirments. Mali for example demands that you have had your Yellow Fever shot, while it's nabouring countrys don't. But then I can also tell you that of over 20 african countrys I've been to, I was only asked to show my "International Certificate of Vaccination" (the little yellow booklet) when entering Darfur in Sudan. And I think that had more to do with the "health officer" being bored at the time since not many people came that way...



It seems to me that most african border/health officals presume that "westerners" have had all their shots.



Which is exactly what I would advise. It's better to have all your shots (and then some!) even if it isn't a requirment to enter the country in question. When it comes to staying healthy, it's a lot cheaper to be safe than sorry in the long run. IMO.



Erik D.

Consult with the Centers for Disease Control CDC and your doctor.

Beware there are a few super heroes here but an ounce of prevention .......

In Portland, OR, they have Providence Hospital Traveler's Clinic, and I've gone there as a patient for the last ten years. I think most of the larger cities in most states will have a clinic such as this.

When I go, I call and make an appointment, tell them the country or countries that I plan to visit and for how long. They prescribe the proper innoculations, malaria prophylactic and other prescriptions, etc. They also, of course, maintain a record of these innoculations, so everything can be updated as required.

I also think it's a good idea to ask for a tetracycline (or whatever your Dr. thinks best) prescription in case of tick fever, etc.

AD

My wife and I use Kaiser, they have a similar Travel Medicine Clinic as Allen mentions. I know other outfits here in San Diego have the same service.

The folks over here will usually over-prescribe. If you are going hunting in a particular area, I like to check with the outfitter as to what the locals think is necessary. In many countries malaria is found in certain areas, and others are malaria-free. The Travel Med folks will "round up" and say the country requires malaria prophylaxis.

jim

Although there is good advice above, keep in mind that when it comes to required/mandatory immunizations , your local health office or whoever you might use, might not know the latest info on what vaccines the specific country demands you have to let you enter. So don't forget to check with the countrys embassy!

Erik D.

On my trip to RSA I needed only a passport and no immunizations was required.

That said I was advised to at least have a tetanus update, and the shots for Hepititis A. I had already had the Hepititis B shots as a first responded and decided to update the polio shots as well. As a result I had a very sore arm even though I got the shots over a period of six months.

I recommend that some immunizations be taken but over a longer period.

Also I was advised to take an antibiotic as a "just in case" and my doctor prescribed a mild antibiotic which I filled and took with me in case of illness there that might spoil the hunt.....It wasn't needed but it's good advise just the same.

Finding a travel clinic is a good suggestion...things change...but start them well in advance because some are a series of shots over at least a six month period...and I'd recommend shots that aren't required but recommended by your doctor or even your outfitter.