Travelling to Africa: A Complete Guide to Vaccines, Malaria Prevention, and Travel Health 

Planning a safari in Kenya, a trek up Kilimanjaro or a family visit to Nigeria? Wherever your trip takes you, it is natural to wonder what you need to do to stay well while you are away. Health risks can vary hugely from one country to the next, so a little preparation can make your journey feel much more straightforward. 

From checking your vaccinations to arranging malaria prevention, getting the right advice before you travel can help take some of the stress out of preparing for your trip. A visit to a travel clinic can help you prepare for the places you are visiting, what you will be doing and how long you will be away.

Which Vaccines Do You Need for Africa? 

The vaccines you need depend on your destination, activities and medical history, so there is no universal list. Your pharmacist will check the latest UK guidance, including advice from the NHS, before making a recommendation. 

Africa travel vaccinations often considered include: 

• Hepatitis A, spread through contaminated food and water. 

• Typhoid, advised where sanitation and hygiene are limited. 

• Tetanus, diphtheria and polio, if your booster is due. 

• Rabies, for remote trips or close contact with animals. 

• Meningitis ACWY, for parts of the Sahel in the dry season. 

• Cholera, for certain higher risk trips, such as aid work.

Do You Need a Yellow Fever Vaccine for Africa? 

You may, depending on where you are going. Yellow fever is found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and some countries ask for proof of vaccination on arrival. 

The certificate becomes valid ten days after vaccination, so plan ahead. Yellow fever vaccination is only given at registered centres, and it is not suitable for everyone, so your pharmacist will check your medical history first.

How Do You Prevent Malaria in Africa? 

Malaria prevention combines avoiding mosquito bites with antimalarial medication where advised. Malaria is a risk across much of sub-Saharan Africa, and the NHS recommends the ABCD approach: 

• Awareness of the risk at your destination. 

• Bite prevention, using repellent and a treated mosquito net. 

• Check whether you need antimalarial tablets. 

• Diagnosis, seeking urgent advice if you develop a fever. 

Where appropriate, your pharmacist can advise on malaria tablets for Africa. The right option depends on your route, health and other medicines, so this will be discussed during your consultation.

What Else Should You Pack for Good Travel Health in Africa? 

There are a few other things worth thinking about before you set off. Practical steps a pharmacist would suggest include: 

• Drinking bottled or treated water and avoiding ice. 

• Oral rehydration sachets and a basic first aid kit. 

• High factor sun protection and a hat. 

• Enough of your regular medicines, in original packaging. 
• Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. 

Book Your Africa Travel Consultation at Ham Pharmacy Group 

Planning your trip to Africa? Ham Pharmacy Group offers private travel consultations at our Ham Parade, Ham Common and Ham Village pharmacies. Our pharmacists provide tailored advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention based on where you are going and what your trip involves. 

Conveniently located for travellers from Surbiton, Teddington, Thames Ditton, Tolworth, Esher, Hampton and Molesey, we can help you get organised before you travel. Book your travel consultation today and get ready for your African adventure.