Vaccinations for Morocco: What you should know before you go

Morocco’s culture and history makes it a prime destination for tourists. It has been described as the gateway to Africa and is full of vibrant marketplaces, ancient cities, and sweeping deserts. But before you go on a Moroccan adventure, ensure that you get the proper vaccinations to stay healthy on your trip abroad. This guide can help you navigate the immunisation process.

Immunisations, shots, vaccinations, is there a difference? What are they really?

Immunisation is an overall process of making your body resistant to a specific infectious disease or virus. It builds up your body’s natural defence system - your immune system - to become resistant. The most common way to immunise yourself is with a shot, or injection, which usually contains a vaccine. The vaccine usually contains an agent that resembles the disease, so your body might react to it in the same way it would after exposure to the disease. This is your body’s immune system responding to and recognising the disease so you become resilient in the future.

Different diseases have different immunisation requirements. Some require more than one vaccine shot, and some immunisation cycles last longer than others. For example, it’s common for people to get a flu shot every year, while the yellow fever vaccination lasts 10 years.

Why should I get vaccinated if I’m travelling?

Getting vaccinated is incredibly important when you’re travelling to a new country or region of the world. Many take it for granted that we don’t encounter many infectious diseases these days as a global population. This is because vaccines have helped eradicate many dangerous diseases and have saved thousands of lives over the course of the past 100-150 years.

When you visit a new place, this means your body will be exposed to new biological elements, germs and bacteria. You may not be resilient and you could become very sick if you aren’t immunised.

Recognising the effectiveness of vaccines and the threat of many of these infectious diseases, governments across the world began to recommend or even mandate certain vaccinations for citizens and visitors. This has helped to mitigate the spread of diseases in modern history.

What are some recent disease or virus outbreaks in Morocco or Africa that I should be prepared for?

There haven’t been any recent disease or virus outbreaks in Morocco that travellers should be concerned about. However, nearby countries in west and northwest Africa have a high risk of Zika virus, which is a virus carried by mosquitoes that causes severe birth defects.

Morocco wasn’t affected, but other western and northwestern African countries were affected by the 2014 Ebola virus, which is transmitted through animal and human fluids. There’s a low-to-no risk of contracting Ebola while in Morocco, but it's good for travellers to be aware of its history in the region.

When should I get vaccinated?

You should check with your doctor four to six weeks in advance of your trip to ensure you’re up-to-date on all of your routine vaccinations, like mumps-measles-rubella (MMR). There may be some other vaccinations to consider. You can use the table below to help you.

If I travel to Morocco, what vaccinations and shots are required or do I need?

Here’s a list of recommended vaccines that travellers should consider getting before they go to Morocco:

When is the best time to travel to Morocco?

Morocco doesn’t have a high risk for diseases and viruses transmitted through mosquitoes, so travellers don’t have to worry about avoiding hot and rainy seasons. However, as a tourist wanting to make the most out of Morocco, you might want to travel in the spring when temperatures are moderate. That way, you can comfortably experience Morocco’s plentiful outdoor activities.

What if I get sick while I’m in Morocco? Who do I call for an emergency?

The emergency ambulance number in Morocco is 150. Here is more information about what to do in an emergency for different travellers:

• American citizens can call the American Citizen Services of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Morocco on (212) 552-64-20-99 or (212) 661-13-19-39 out of hours
• British nationals can get emergency help through the British Embassy
• Australian and Canadian citizens can dial (212) 537-54-49-49 for emergency help through the Canadian Embassy in Rabat

If you’re planning a visit to Morocco to experience the country’s exotic marketplaces, unique African-Arabic history, and delicious local cuisine, you might want to prepare for your trip by getting your routine vaccinations so you can stay healthy. Use this guide to help you understand the vaccination process before you depart.