vaccines for africa travel

Which Vaccinations Are Required for Travel?

By Cassie Shortsleeve

A trip abroad requires you to be up-to-date on a whole checklist of things these days: travel insurance, airline policies, visas, passports , and, as far as your health is concerned, vaccines. Yet while the COVID-19 pandemic has made us acutely aware of the importance of staying healthy on the road, travel vaccines have always been a mainstay of safe travel—a crucial tool in avoiding the (often expensive) headaches of getting sick , and treating sicknesses, abroad.

Whether you have travel on the horizon or want to be prepared for 2023 trips and beyond, this guide will get you up to speed on the vaccinations required for travel depending on your destination, itinerary, and health status. Follow the below steps to protect your immune system in another country.

Make sure you’re current with routine vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all travelers be up to date on routine vaccines before travel. Routine vaccines include shots like COVID-19; chickenpox; Hepatitis A and B; Influenza; Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Polio; and more. The CDC has a full list of routine vaccines here .

“‘Routinely recommended vaccines’ are vaccines that have been considered very important to prevent common diseases in the population to start,” says Lin H. Chen , M.D. director of the Travel Medicine Center at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the former president of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM).

Routine vaccines protect against disease that exists at low levels (chickenpox) or barely exists at all (measles) in the U.S. They also protect against severe disease from diseases that are still present in the United States (influenza or COVID-19). Generally, they’re given in childhood or adolescence—though some are given through adulthood—so it’s always a good idea to double-check your vaccination records.

When traveling, routine shots are especially important because international travel increases your chances of both contracting and spreading diseases that aren’t common in the U.S. A good example of this is measles. While it’s practically non-existent in the U.S., international travel increases your risk of exposure and popular destinations including Europe still have measles outbreaks.

It’s worth double checking your status even if you think you’re up to date: “During the pandemic, some routine vaccination programs may have suffered lapses, so there is concern that diseases may become more common,” says Dr. Chen.

The routine vaccination recommendations have also changed over the years (the addition of the COVID-19 vaccine to the list is an example) and it’s easy to let vaccines like tetanus ( generally needed every 10 years ) lapse.

“It is even recommended at this time that certain adults who are traveling who have not had a polio vaccine for many years and are traveling to a risk area get an additional dose of the polio vaccine,” says Elizabeth D. Barnett , M.D., a professor at Boston University Medical School and a leader in the field of travel and tropical Medicine.

If you’re traveling with a child , talk to your pediatrician: Rules around vaccination can be different for babies traveling internationally. A baby who is not leaving the U.S., for example, gets their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months; if they will be leaving the country, they get the first dose at six months .

Utilize official resources to learn more about vaccination recommendations around the world

“Understanding the epidemiology of where diseases are circulating is really important,” says Dr. Chen.

That’s why, generally, she sends travelers to the CDC’s website , which outlines exactly what additional vaccines you may need for essentially every country in the world. All you have to do is plug in your destination and you’ll find information about vaccines and medications, health travel notices, COVID-19 travel information, and more.

Start a conversation with your primary care doctor—then consider seeing a travel medicine specialist

It’s always good to start a conversation with your primary care doctor about vaccines before you travel, but if your itinerary is complex, involving multiple countries, being in rural areas, areas without good hygiene, or areas where you may not be able to protect yourself from mosquito- or food-borne illnesses, or if you have questions based on what you found on the CDC website or your own personal health history, consider asking your physician for a referral to a travel medicine specialist or travel clinic.

After all, when it comes to vaccinations required for travel, it’s not just about where you travel, but how you travel.

“The art of travel medicine is listening to where the person is going, what they're going to be doing, and making a decision based on the risk-benefit ratio,” says Dr. Barnett. A travel medicine doctor will be able to analyze disease trends and trip details such as how long you’ll be traveling or how well you’ll be able to protect yourself against mosquitoes. “You have to really dig into those things,” she says.

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Take a vaccine called the Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which prevents a type of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). “We can't just say the risk is present in a specific country, because the risk depends on the time of year, whether the disease is being transmitted at that time, the exact location—rural areas, especially farming regions are associated with much higher risk — whether there's a local outbreak situation going on, and more.”

You may not be able to get every shot you need at your primary care doctor’s office either. The yellow fever vaccine, for example (which you may need if you’re traveling somewhere like Sub-Saharan Africa or specific parts of South America), is only available at special travel clinics or public health settings, says Dr. Barnett. You can find a list of travel medicine clinics on the CDC’s website.

Your health background (what diseases you’ve had in the past, whether or not you’re immune-suppressed, and if you’re more predisposed to a certain condition) also play a role in what vaccines to consider. (A very small subset of people vaccinated against yellow fever, for example, experience severe adverse events, says Dr. Barnett.)

The bottom line

For many people and many trips, discussing travel plans with your primary care doctor and using the CDC’s destination feature for vaccine guidance will suffice. Other, more complex trips require a visit to a travel clinic. If you’re aiming to get into one, start the process at least a month before your departure date—appointments can be hard to get and your body needs time to build up immunity from any additional vaccines you may require.

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Recommended Vaccines for Travel to Africa: Vaccinations for African Safari Trips

Posted by Briony Chisholm on November 12 2018 in Safari Health and Medical Advice Enquire Now!

Our consultants often deal with clients who are anxious about various medical concerns before their trips, the main one being what vaccinations are needed for Africa. It’s not quite as simple as ‘Africa’ – considering Africa covers over 30 million km 2 – and different areas have different vaccination requirements.

That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive blog, detailing exactly what shots you need for the countries in southern and East Africa that our safaris visit, when to get them, and where.

IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER:

This is a general, basic overview of some vaccinations needed for safaris. Before traveling to Africa, every person should visit their own doctor or local travel clinic, well in advance of their departure, to obtain advice. Each person is different and has different underlying conditions, allergies, etc., so a pre-trip health check and discussion of what vaccines and malaria prophylaxis are necessary, and other health concerns, are imperative.

This blog does not replace the advice of your doctor/travel nurse.

Medical Insurance

This is a non-negotiable must. Before traveling to Africa, be sure to get good medical insurance, including medical evacuation. Many areas visited are far from medical facilities and difficult to reach. Should there be a medical emergency, you want to feel safe in the knowledge that your insurance will cover any eventuality. Check out our full section on medical insurance  on how to get it.

Recommended Vaccines for Travel to Africa

The only vaccine that is compulsory in some countries (i.e. you won’t be allowed across the border without proof of vaccination) is the yellow fever vaccine, but there are many recommended shots in others. We have a whole blog on yellow fever, so head over there for all things yellow fever , including a map of where it is endemic.

Remember to check that all your routine childhood vaccinations – which in most countries include tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, TB and meningitis – were done and get boosters where necessary. You can also discuss getting various optional shots, like the flu and pneumococcal shots, with your healthcare provider/travel clinic.

The choice of whether to get the recommended vaccinations or not depends on a number of things including:

• Where you’re traveling to in each country e.g. rural vs. urban
• Local outbreaks e.g. cholera
• Length of stay
• What your accommodation will be e.g. camping vs. 5-star hotel
• Activities you’re going to be involved in e.g. swimming in dams, helping out at a clinic, being involved in veterinary work
• Your medical history e.g. underlying conditions, medicines that may affect immunity
• Vaccination history i.e. did you receive all your childhood immunizations?

Local outbreaks/Travel warnings

Outbreaks of diseases such as cholera do, at times, occur and this will mean that you may need to get a specific vaccine for that outbreak (or, in severe cases, avoid travel to some places). The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) publishes these travel warnings  and it’s advisable to keep an eye on these in the build-up to your safari.

When to get your vaccinations for African safari travel

Remember that vaccinations may take a little while to work and some are given over a couple of days/weeks, sequentially. This means you may need to visit your doctor/travel clinic on a couple of occasions if you need to get numerous shots, so go as early as possible.

To help you plan, here we’ll list the most common shots recommended for an African safari (there are numerous other vaccines that you could consider prior to your African safari, depending on all risk factors), how the disease they protect you against is spread, how long they take to work and who the American Advisory on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Centre for Disease Control and/or World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends gets them. Later in the blog, we will list each country our safaris visit and specify what’s needed for where.

Transmission: food and water Recommended for: at-risk travelers to an area of active cholera transmission How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 10-14 days

Transmission: person-to-person (air-borne) Recommended for: all travelers should be up-to-date with the diphtheria toxoid vaccine How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: Boosters are given every 10 years

Hepatitis A

Transmission: person-to-person, food and water Recommended for: all travelers to countries with high or intermediate HAV endemicity  How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 1 month/as soon as possible (3 doses)

Hepatitis B

Transmission: blood and body fluids Recommended for: all unvaccinated travelers to areas with a prevalence of HBV infection  How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: as soon as possible (3 doses)

Transmission: person-to-person (air-borne) Recommended for: travelers to parts of sub-Saharan Africa known as the “meningitis belt” How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 10 days

Transmission: Faecal-oral, oral-oral Recommended for: travelers to areas that have polio should ensure that they have completed the recommended age-appropriate polio vaccine series and that adults have received a single lifetime IPV booster dose. In addition, a booster dose for certain adult travelers to some countries that border areas with polio is recommended How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 4 weeks (booster)

Transmission: animal bites Recommended for: travelers to rabies-endemic countries who may come in contact with animals How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 1 month (3 doses)

Transmission: non-intact skin, injuries/bites from contaminated objects Recommended for: travelers who do not have up-to-date immunization (10-yearly booster)

Transmission: food and water, fecal-oral Recommended for: travelers to areas where there is an increased risk of exposure How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 2 weeks

Yellow fever

Transmission: mosquito-borne Compulsory for: all travelers≥ 9 months of age to areas with yellow fever risk How long before entering the area should the vaccine be given: > 10 days

Where to get vaccinations for travel to Africa

The best place to go and get advice on what shots to get for your African safari is a travel clinic. Most major towns across the world have specialist travel clinics, so seek out the nearest one. If there isn’t one close, get your doctor to call one and then you can decide which shots you should have for the specific countries you’re visiting.

While you’re at the doctor, have a general check-up, stock up on any meds you take chronically (and get an official prescription, with generic names. Keep a copy with your passport). Remember that some medications may not be available in the countries you visit on your safari, so go prepared. If you want an overview of all things health-related, see our blog, The Complete African Safari Medical Guide .

Country-specific vaccinations for African travel

Vaccinations for south africa  travel.

Required vaccinations : proof of yellow fever vaccination, if traveling from or transited (> 12 hours spent) through a yellow fever endemic country Recommended shots : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be traveling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinations for travel to  Namibia

Required vaccinations : proof of yellow fever vaccination, if traveling from or transited (> 12 hours spent) through a yellow fever endemic country Recommended : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be travelling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinarions for Botswana safari  trips

Required vaccinations : proof of yellow fever vaccination, if traveling from or transited through a yellow fever endemic country Recommended shots : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be traveling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinations for travel to  Zimbabwe

Required vaccinations : proof of yellow fever vaccination, if traveling from or transited (> 12 hours spent) through a yellow fever endemic country Recommended shots : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be traveling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinations for  Mozambique holidays

Vaccinations for travel to  Malawi

Vaccinations for  Zambia  safari trips

Vaccinations for Tanzania safaris

Required vaccinations : proof of yellow fever vaccination, if traveling from or transited (> 12 hours spent) through a yellow fever endemic country Recommended vaccinations : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be traveling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinations for Kenya safaris  trips

Required shots : proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travelers traveling from a country with a risk of YFV transmission and all of those visiting yellow fever-endemic regions of the country Recommended : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be travelling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinations for travel to  Uganda

Required vaccinations : yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travelers and proof is required if traveling from YFV endemic country Recommended shots: routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be traveling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

What vaccines do you need for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)?

Required vaccinations : proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travelers Recommended : routine vaccinations should be up-to-date; hepatitis A; hepatitis B, if going to be exposed to blood/body fluids (including sexual contact); typhoid, if going to be traveling in rural areas Consider : cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, flu, meningococcal and others (dependent on risk)

Vaccinations are not 100% effective

Please remember that no vaccine protects you 100%. The most important way to not get an infectious disease – after vaccination – is to avoid the causes.

This means, amongst other measures, mosquito repellants and nets and covering up between dusk and dawn, to avoid mosquito bites (yellow fever and malaria), drinking bottled water (no ice!), being careful about what you eat, and washing fruits well before eating, using condoms and avoiding risky behavior.

On the matter of malaria, for which there is no vaccination, chemoprophylaxis is recommended in endemic areas (many of the places our trips go). See our blog Malaria made simple .

Planning well & being prepared = dream safari trip

That, in a nutshell, is what you need to do regarding getting your vaccines after you’ve booked your dream African safari . As discussed, only the yellow fever vaccine is compulsory – if going to, or passing through, a yellow fever endemic country.

The rest of the recommended vaccines for travel to Africa can be decided on, in consultation with your travel health consultant, according to the current risks in the areas you’re traveling to and your personal health. Speak to our consultants for more guidance about what vaccinations you need to travel to Africa.

Here’s to a magnificent, healthy African safari!

If you liked this post, these trips cover similar ground…

• 4 Day Private Garden Route Tour from Cape Town (return)
• 6 Day South Africa Safari - Garden Route Small Group Tour

About the Author

Briony chisholm wordsmith & pharmacist.

Places Mentioned in this Post

1. South Africa

3. Botswana

4. Zimbabwe

5. Mozambique

8. Tanzania

10. Democratic Republic of the Congo

Similar & Related Blog Posts

Below you’ll find further reading and articles related or similar to this post.

Malaria Made Simple: How to Stay Safe on African Safaris

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Yellow Fever: Facts you need to know for safe African Safaris

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The Complete African Safari Medical Guide

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South Africa Travel Requirements & Vaccinations

South Africa is located at the southernmost region of Africa, with a long coastline that stretches more than 1,500 miles banking the South Atlantic and Indian oceans. South Africa is about twice the size of Texas, making it the 25th-largest country in the world. Zulu is the most commonly spoken of the 11 official languages, but English is the second language of most South Africans and is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.

South Africa is a diverse country in both geography and climate, ranging from the extreme dry heat of the Namib Desert in the northwest to the lush subtropical conditions found on the east coast. Visitors to South Africa will enjoy a wide variety of activities and destination locations, including:

• Varied cultural and historical attractions
• Diverse wildlife and scenery
• Beautiful, sandy beaches

Recommended Vaccines for Travel to South Africa

• Hepatitis A
• Malaria (pill form)

*Rabies vaccination is typically only recommended for very high risk travelers given that it is completely preventable if medical attention is received within 7 – 10 days of an animal bite.

Travelers may also be advised to ensure they have received the routine vaccinations listed below. Some adults may need to receive a booster for some of these diseases:

• Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)

Older adults or those with certain medical conditions may also want to ask about being vaccinated for shingles and/or pneumonia.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a travel medicine professional. Not all of the vaccines listed here will be necessary for every individual.

Talk to the experts at UH Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health to determine how each member of your family can obtain maximum protection against illness, disease and injury while traveling, based on age, health, medical history and travel itinerary.

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Routine Vaccines

It’s important to be up to date on recommended routine vaccines prior to travel, including Flu, RSV and COVID-19.

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Vaccines for Travelers

Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places.

Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for travelers.

Which vaccines do I need before traveling?

The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on few things, including:

• Where you plan to travel . Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling in developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit.
• Your health . If you’re pregnant or have an ongoing illness or weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
• The vaccinations you’ve already had . It’s important to be up to date on your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in the United States, they are more common in other countries. Learn more about routine vaccines for specific age groups .

How far in advance should I get vaccinated before traveling?

It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.

Where can I go to get travel vaccines?

Start by finding a:

• Travel clinic
• Health department
• Yellow fever vaccination clinic

Learn more about where you can get vaccines .

What resources can I use to prepare for my trip?

Here are some resources that may come in handy as you’re planning your trip:

• Visit CDC’s travel website to find out which vaccines you may need based on where you plan to travel, what you’ll be doing, and any health conditions you have.
• Download CDC's TravWell app to get recommended vaccines, a checklist to help prepare for travel, and a personalized packing list. You can also use it to store travel documents and keep a record of your medicines and vaccinations.
• Read the current travel notices to learn about any new disease outbreaks in or vaccine recommendations for the areas where you plan to travel.
• Visit the State Department’s website to learn about vaccinations, insurance, and medical emergencies while traveling.

Traveling with a child? Make sure they get the measles vaccine.

Measles is still common in some countries. Getting your child vaccinated will protect them from getting measles — and from bringing it back to the United States where it can spread to others. Learn more about the measles vaccine.

Find out which vaccines you need

CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now !

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected .

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African Nations Have Agreed A Plan To Increase Locally Produced Vaccines. This Is How It Will Work

• African nations have agreed a new plan to boost local vaccine production.
• Many have struggled to access COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.
• The Gavi Vaccine Alliance has approved a “historic” plan to fund local production.

African leaders have agreed a deal aimed at providing greater health security for people across the continent.

The initiative, led by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), establishes a pooled procurement mechanism for vaccines and other healthcare products.

“The decision means creating a robust market for manufacturers and  ensuring the health security of all Africans ,” the Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, said after the agreement was made at an African Union Summit. “This will be the second independence of Africa.”

A pressing need for local vaccine production

The latest agreement throws a new focus on vaccine production in Africa. The African market for vaccines and medicines is valued at $50 billion annually, but the continent imports most of the healthcare products required.

According to Africa CDC’s press release, under 1% of vaccines required are currently manufactured on the continent. African leaders have committed to raising this to 60% by 2040.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted Africa’s vulnerability when it comes to access to vaccines. As the virus swept around the world, wealthy nations bought and stockpiled billions of vaccine doses, leaving entire populations in developing nations with little or no access to lifesaving treatments.

In December 2020, just as the first vaccines were being delivered, the EU and the United States bought up 2.6 billion doses, more than a third of globally available supply. Many low-income countries, including nations across Africa, had to rely on NGOs operating under the  COVAX  initiative, which managed to secure 700 million doses.

“One of the key challenges exposed by COVID-19 was the urgent need to establish vaccine manufacturing in all regions of the world, particularly in Africa,” says Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare at the World Economic Forum.

“The Forum’s  Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative  was created to support vaccine manufacturing that meets regional health needs. The development of African capacity will protect locals from future health emergencies and bolster global pandemic preparedness,” Bishen added.

Building an African vaccines sector

Raising the level of local vaccine production in Africa is a strategic priority for  Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance . Writing in a 2022 article for the World Economic Forum, the CEO of Gavi  Seth Berkley highlighted the opportunity and the challenges  Africa faces in building a vaccine manufacturing sector.

Berkley argued that building capacity in Africa will protect local people in a future pandemic as well as helping to bolster global readiness when the next health emergency strikes. In normal times, local vaccine production would increase supplies to protect against a wide range of preventable diseases.

Some of the challenges Berkley highlighted included the high capital costs of building manufacturing facilities, the need for an appropriately-skilled workforce and the requirement for production at high volumes to keep down the cost of the final product.

The agreement to create a pooled procurement system for African nations addresses one of the key challenges – the need for high-volume production. Under the system, multiple countries would place a single order for vaccine supplies.

Africa CDC says pooled procurement “creates predictable demand so manufacturers can plan for the long term to create a viable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem”.

Progress on vaccine production in Africa

As African nations struggled to secure vaccines during the pandemic, emergency manufacturing processes were put in place to try to increase supplies.

Vaccine maker BioNTech built a modular system that housed production facilities in re-versioned shipping containers.

To move from emergency cover to consistent supply, Africa needs to increase current capacity on a massive scale – a project that will require funding on an equally large scale.

In December 2023, Gavi announced the creation of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA). The board of Gavi described the AVMA as, “ a financing instrument that will make up to $1 billion available  to support sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Africa”.

The AVMA will prioritize funding for organizations making vaccines from drugs manufactured on the African continent. This helps to establish an end-to-end vaccine ecosystem. It will also consider funding for so-called “fill and finish only” operations in which vaccines are manufactured using imported drugs.

Chair of the Gavi board, José Manuel Barroso, described the establishment of the AVMA as a “historic” moment for African healthcare and public/private cooperation, saying: “Gavi has worked closely with the countries, the African Union, Africa CDC, G7, G20, and other donors, WHO, UNICEF, civil society, industry, and experts to put into place innovative mechanisms that have the power to reshape our approach to regional manufacturing and pandemic response.”

This story was originally sourced from World Economic Forum

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April 13, 2024

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Nigeria first to use 'revolutionary' meningitis jab: WHO

Africa's most populous nation Nigeria has launched a "revolutionary" vaccine against meningitis, in what the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said was a world first.

"Meningitis is an old and deadly foe, but this new vaccine holds the potential to change the trajectory of the disease, preventing future outbreaks and saving many lives," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Nigeria's rollout brings us one step closer to our goal to eliminate meningitis by 2030," he said.

The Men5CV vaccine shields against the five major strains of the meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y and X) in a single shot.

The WHO said it offers broader protection than the current vaccine used in much of Africa, which is only effective against the A strain.

Last year the number of meningitis cases jumped 50 percent in Africa.

Nigeria, with a population of 220 million, is one of the continent's 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries, an area known as the African Meningitis Belt.

WHO noted that 153 people died during an outbreak of meningitis in Nigeria between October 1 and March 11.

Gavi, the global Vaccine Alliance, funded the new campaign from March 25-28 to initially vaccinate more than one million people aged from one to 29 years.

"Northern Nigeria, particularly the states of Jigawa, Bauchi and Yobe were badly hit by the deadly outbreak of meningitis," said Professor Muhammad Ali Pate of Nigeria's Health Ministry.

"This vaccine provides health workers with a new tool to both stop this outbreak but also put the country on a path to elimination," he said in the WHO statement.

Meningitis infection leads to inflammation of the membranes or meninges that protect the brain and spinal cord.

It has multiple causes including viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens.

Symptoms often include headache, fever and stiff neck. Bacterial meningitis is the most serious and may result in septicaemia or blood poisoning that can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours.

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International Edition

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, travellers 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 PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to North and West Africa: hepatitis A , hepatitis B , typhoid , cholera , yellow fever , rabies 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 travelling 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 travellers, 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 tables below for more vaccination information:

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.

Travellers’ diarrhea can be a serious risk for travellers 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 travellers’ 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 travelling from a region with active infection. Check individual destination advice pages to learn more.

Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.

Travelling to Another Destination?

Travelling outside of North and West Africa? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!

• Afghanistan
• American Samoa
• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Canary Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Cook Islands
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• Easter Island
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• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
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• South Korea
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• Switzerland
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• United States
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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? Travelling to Another Destination?

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Moderna halts vaccine plant in Africa amid dwindling orders

Moderna has paused its efforts to build an mRNA manufacturing facility in Kenya while it determines future demand for COVID-19 vaccines on the African continent, the firm said in a statement Thursday. Moderna’s plan was part of efforts to widen access to vaccines that have remained out of reach to large parts of the world. Africa has been trying to reduce the continent’s reliance on the rest of the world for vaccine supplies. Demand for COVID-19 vaccines in Africa has declined since the pandemic and is too little to support the viability of the $500 million factory it planned to set up in Kenya, Moderna said in an emailed statement. “Moderna has not received any vaccine orders for Africa since 2022 and has faced the cancellation of previous orders, resulting in more than $1 billion in losses and write-downs,” it said. Despite the setbacks, Moderna remains committed to ensuring equitable access for Africa through its global manufacturing network, according to the statement. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

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Lufthansa reaches deal with cabin crew union

Lufthansa and a union representing cabin crew reached a pay deal Thursday, concluding the last of several major disputes that have led to recent strikes at Germany’s biggest airline and in the country’s wider aviation sector. The UFO union said nearly 19,000 cabin crew will get a pay raise effectively totaling 17.4 percent in three stages under the three-year deal, plus a one-time payment of $3,240 per person to offset inflation. Some bonuses also will be increased. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

Workers prefer offices to tiny apartments in Tokyo

Tokyo office vacancies dropped to a three-year low in March, a sign that the commercial real estate market in the Japanese capital is withstanding the slump afflicting major cities around the world. The rate in Tokyo’s five central business areas fell to 5.47 percent, the lowest since March 2021, according to real estate broker Miki Shoji Co., which compiles one of the most-watched measures of commercial office use in the city. Rents have also ticked up after falling through most of 2023 — rising every month so far this year for existing buildings. Tokyo has avoided the reckoning in large cities worldwide that are suffering from record office vacancies and plummeting building valuations since the pandemic. Remote work hasn’t gained much traction in Japan, where smaller living spaces and a stricter corporate culture have people continuing to frequent the office. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

Amazon names AI guru to board

Amazon is adding artificial intelligence visionary Andrew Ng to its board of directors, a move that comes amid intense AI competition among startups and big technology companies. The Seattle company said Thursday that Ng, a managing director at the Palo Alto, Calif.-based AI Fund, will fill a seat vacated by Judy McGrath, a former CEO of MTV who told Amazon she won’t run for reelection. Ng’s AI Fund, which he founded in 2017, invests in entrepreneurs building artificial intelligence companies. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

HEALTH CARE

United executives sold stock before announcement of DOJ probe

UnitedHealth Group Inc. chairman Stephen Hemsley and three senior executives netted a combined $101.5 million from stock sales made over four months leading up to when the public became aware of a federal antitrust investigation. The sales occurred between Oct. 16, a week after the largest health insurer in the United States reportedly received notice of the Justice Department probe, and Feb. 26, the day before Bloomberg News and others published stories about the investigation. The stock dropped after the investigation was widely reported. There’s no indication that the trades were executed according to scheduled trading plans in filings related to the transactions. UnitedHealth said officers and directors must get clearance to trade shares, and that trading is limited to certain windows that often open after earnings reports. The trades in question were approved, a spokesperson said. The company reported third-quarter earnings on Oct. 13. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

Large carriers ask Biden administration to delay new flights to China

The largest US airlines are asking the Biden administration to halt approvals of new flights between the country and China, saying the Asian nation’s “damaging anti-competitive policies” put US carriers at a disadvantage. “If the growth of the Chinese aviation market is allowed to continue unchecked and without concern for equality of access in the market, flights will continue to be relinquished to Chinese carriers at the expense of US workers and businesses,” according to a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Transportation Department Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The plea was signed by the Airlines for America trade group and unions representing several worker groups — the Air Line Pilots Association, Allied Pilots Association, and Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. The letter was reported earlier by Reuters. The United States and China have been slowly rebuilding the number of flights between the countries after a pullback during the pandemic, but they’re still well below the average 340 per week prior to the pandemic. US officials earlier gave Chinese airlines approval to make 50 round-trip flights starting March 31, up from 35, after a pledge by the Civil Administration of China to push for a “significant increase” in direct flights. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

Rent the Runway takes off

Rent the Runway notched a record one-day jump after reporting earnings that beat investor expectations and stoked hopes that the clothing-rental company can turn itself around. The stock surged nearly 162 percent Thursday after the company reported fourth-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that beat Wall Street expectations. The quarterly report was a breath of fresh air for the company after investors had mostly given up on it. Rent the Runway has been under pressure since the COVID-19 pandemic and working from home shifted consumer fashion trends. Even as workers returned to the office, Rent the Runway struggled to keep subscribers due to a mismatch in inventory. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

Rates keep rising

The average long-term US mortgage rate rose to its highest level in five weeks, a setback for prospective home buyers during what’s traditionally the busiest time of the year for home sales. The average rate on a 30-year mortgage rose to 6.88 percent from 6.82 percent last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.27 percent. — ASSOCIATED PRESS