Vaccinations for South Africa: Everything you need to know

If you’re travelling to South Africa soon, it’s a smart plan to understand what vaccinations you might need for your trip. Depending on your personal situation and plans, you might find there are compulsory vaccinations, recommended vaccinations - and a need to protect yourself against diseases like Malaria. This guide walks through some important pointers to think about, and covers where to find out more.

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Do I need vaccinations for South Africa?

Whether or not you need vaccinations for South Africa will depend to an extent on your personal state of health, your plans during your trip, how long you are staying and similar factors. That means it’s crucial to visit a travel health professional to talk through your own specific requirements - ideally about 6 weeks before your trip. That gives you plenty of time to update vaccinations as needed, and start prophylaxis against malaria if this is needed.

This guide - and professional resources such as the NHS Fit to Travel website² - can be good places to start your research, but they’re not a substitute for personal advice. Make an appointment at a travel health clinic to make sure you’re clear on what’s needed to make sure your trip goes well.

What vaccinations are required for South Africa?

At the time of writing (July 2024), there’s no need to prove you’ve been vaccinated against Covid to enter South Africa. Usually, the only compulsory entry requirement is for Yellow Fever³ - and this will not apply to people coming to South Africa directly from the UK in most cases. We’ll cover this below - however, even though there may be no compulsory vaccines, that doesn’t mean you can ignore your travel health.

Read the full guide to learn more about recommended and optional vaccinations based on specific needs.

Yellow Fever requirements

South Africa requires a Yellow fever certificate for people travelling from or transiting through a country where yellow fever is a risk. Yellow Fever risk countries are primarily in Africa, Central and South America. This may well mean that this requirement doesn’t affect you if you’re coming directly from the UK - but if you’re visiting other countries, or even just transiting through any affected country, you’ll need to check the details well in advance.

South Africa required travel vaccinations

The vaccinations and other health care requirements for South Africa can be broadly split into recommended steps - which apply to all travellers - and optional health care measures. Optional vaccinations may apply if you’re in the country for a long time or have underlying health issues which may make you more vulnerable to problems. Let’s start with the health measures which are recommended to all travellers heading to South Africa:

Primary courses and boosters for the UK

The first thing your travel health care specialist is likely to do is to check you’re up to date with all the normal UK primary courses and boosters, such as Covid vaccinations, MMR, or seasonal flu vaccinations. While there are a lot of these vaccinations which are administered in childhood and which offer lifetime coverage, boosters are needed for some - so do check your records if you can.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water. This vaccination is recommended to all travellers to South Africa, and particularly where underlying health conditions may make you more vulnerable to the disease.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is spread through respiratory droplets, and vaccination is usually recommended for travellers to South Africa. It’s covered in the normal UK childhood schedule of vaccines, but a booster is recommended every 10 years if you’re travelling to areas of increased risk.

Malaria protection

Not a vaccine - but still important. Some areas of South Africa, at some times of year, have an increased risk of malaria. Malaria can be fatal and is spread by mosquitoes. If you’re heading to a higher risk area you’ll need to take antimalarial tablets - there are different products on the market, with their own benefits and drawbacks, so talk your options over with your doctor prior to travel.

Other South Africa travel vaccinations to consider

Outside of the recommended vaccines which cover everyone there are also a few which are considered optional, and which may be suggested to specific travellers. Here’s a roundup:

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is passed through infected blood and blood products. You may find vaccination is recommended if you’re staying for a long time in the country, or if you may need medical or dental treatment during your stay.

Rabies

Rabies vaccination isn’t always recommended but it’s essential if your plans put you at risk of being bitten, scratched or otherwise in contact with an infected animal. This may apply to long stay travellers, people working with animals, and children - who are more likely to be scratched or bitten when in contact with animals.

Typhoid

Typhoid is spread through food and drink. Vaccination is usually offered where people may not be able to check on the safety of the food and water they consume, such as if you’re heading somewhere more rural or remote.

Tetanus

Tetanus is part of the childhood vaccination schedule - but a tetanus booster is needed every 10 years, up to a normal maximum of 5 for lifetime cover. Tetanus is passed on by bacteria in soil and can be picked up through cuts, scratches or burns.

Health Tips for Travelling to South Africa

Don’t let your trip to South Africa get ruined by sickness - here are a few more common sense tips to follow:

• Avoid tap water and pay close attention to food hygiene
• Even if you’re in a low risk malaria area, avoid insect bites using DEET based repellent and long sleeves and trousers
• Wash your hands frequently, and practise good general personal hygiene
• Use sun protection and stay hydrated

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Use this guide to start your travel health planning for South Africa - and take a look at the Wise international debit card at the same time.

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 17-July-2024