Risk / Health Info for Sierra Leone

What inoculations should I get for Sierra Leone?

What immunisations do you need for Sierra Leone? Our advisors can put together a travel health regime that meets all your needs. There is limited access to safe drinking water so be cautious about what you drink. You can further protect yourself from water-borne diseases by opting for the recommended shots against hepatitis A and typhoid. Cholera is another water-borne disease and outbreaks occur from time to time, particularly in the rainy season, but there is a vaccine available to help protect you.

Should you get a hepatitis B injection? Some travellers do need to protect themselves against this virus. Children can be exposed through cuts and grazes. Frequent and long-stay travellers are at an elevated risk. Also, those who will be working in a healthcare setting, including dentistry or in a lab that handles body fluids. Hep B can be contracted through recreational intravenous drug use and unprotected sex. Another infection route is invasive medical or cosmetic procedures.

You may be exposed to the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis, which is spread in respiratory droplets. A vaccine against meningococcal meningitis is recommended before you travel to Sierra Leone.

Do you need a yellow fever certificate in Sierra Leone? The answer is yes. Your certificate is proof of immunity and the immunisation should give you lifelong immunity. So long as you keep the certificate safe, you will never need to get another one.

What other risks to health are found in Sierra Leone?

Tropical diseases, including water-borne infections and Lassa fever, are common in Sierra Leone.

What hospital facilities are there in Sierra Leone?

Medical facilities in Sierra Leone are poor, so you should carry your own medical supplies.

Malaria in Sierra Leone

Malaria prophylaxis will be required for some parts of Sierra Leone at certain times of year. There is no malaria vaccine, but there are anti-malaria drugs that should be taken before, during and after travelling to certain at-risk countries. Speak with your healthcare provider six weeks before your trip, as not all prophylaxis regimes are appropriate for all regions and all individuals.