West Africa offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes. However, ensuring your health is paramount before embarking on your journey. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, make sure that you get good travel health advice from a reputable source like Global Travel Clinics.
How to find out which vaccines and precautions visitors to West Africa need
The best approach is to make an appointment for a travel health consultation at Global Travel Clinics six to eight weeks before your departure. Our experienced travel health specialists utilize the latest information to provide personalized recommendations.
Your required vaccinations and preventive measures will depend on where you are going and what you are doing. At Global Travel Clinics, we give tailored advice to each traveler.
The advice you get at your travel health appointment will depend on your precise destination. Some regions of West Africa have different health risks – for example, mosquitos are more common in certain areas. And urban and rural areas present different risks.
Your advice will be tailored to the activities you have planned. Trekking, volunteering, home stays, or visits to remote areas increase your risk of exposure to some disease-causing agents.
Your age and pre-existing conditions will also influence our advice, and we have specific recommendations for travel during pregnancy, too. Your normal healthcare provider can help you better understand the impact of heat, humidity or poor air quality that you may encounter in West Africa.
People visiting West Africa for longer periods may get slightly different advice to people staying for a shorter time. We recommend you request a longer appointment if your trip is complex and takes in more than three destinations. This will give time for a more comprehensive travel health risk assessment.
Recommended vaccines and preventive measures for West Africa
Global Travel Clinics offers a comprehensive range of vaccines and preventive measures, including:
Yellow fever vaccine: some West African countries will require a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever at the border.
Hepatitis A and B vaccines: recommended for all travelers due to prevalence in the region.
Typhoid vaccine: especially important for travel in rural areas, it provides protection from infection by a food- and water-borne bacteria.
Cholera vaccine: May be recommended based on your destination and activities.
Meningococcal meningitis vaccine: may be needed during the dry season if you are visiting countries in the African meningitis belt.
Rabies vaccine: recommended for animal handling or if you will be staying far from healthcare facilities.
We will also recommend you get up to date with your routine vaccinations. This includes the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine and the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. If you’ve missed out on booster shots, we can arrange for you to have them.
Should I get malaria tablets when I go to West Africa?
Malaria is a serious threat throughout West Africa. So malaria prophylaxis is essential for most of the region. We can help you work out the right brand of malaria tablet, and we can prescribe it and give guidance about dosage.
During your time in West Africa, consistent use of repellents, mosquito nets, and antimalarial medication is so important. We have an article about avoiding malaria.
Yellow fever certificate requirements:
Yellow fever is a significant risk in West Africa, and many countries will require you to show proof of vaccination on arrival. Border regulations can change, so stay informed.
During your consultation, our travel health advisers can tell you if you’ll need a yellow fever certificate for your visit to West Africa. They can arrange for you to have the yellow fever vaccine Stamaril and once you’ve had the injection, you’ll receive a yellow fever certificate.
You can also confirm whether you need a yellow fever certificate by contacting the embassies or consulates of the countries you’re visiting, or by checking the US State Department’s travel advice for each destination.
Schedule your travel health consultation
Ideally, schedule your appointment six to eight weeks before your arrival at your destination. However, even last-minute travelers should seek a consultation with us. It's never too late to protect your health. Global Travel Clinics has convenient locations to serve you.
With just a few health precautions, you can ensure a safe West African adventure that will give you a lifetime of memories.
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