Shots For Africa – What Are The Recommended Africa Travel Immunizations?

If you are going to volunteer abroad in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mozambique or any of the other countries of the region you are going to need to ask your doctor which shots for Africa you need. Occasionally someone decides to travel without the proper vaccinations but it is certainly not recommended. At worst, getting immunized requires a quick jab. If you catch any of Africa’s less pleasant diseases you will almost certainly end up being very sick indeed and they will probably not let you fly out until the condition has cleared.

So what are the recommended African travel immunizations and how do you get them?

Your local medical practitioner is the best place to start and you should get in touch at least six weeks before you travel. They will be able to give you up-to-date advice for whichever African country or countries you are intending to travel to but in general you will probably want shots for Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Polio, Cholera, Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid. Although that little lot makes it sound like you’ll be looking like a pin-cushion they’re all quite swift and relatively painless so don’t be put off!

Many people have tetanus jabs at some point in their life but if you haven’t had one for a few years make sure you ask your doctor whether you need a top up. Although tuberculosis is rare in the west it is still quite common in Africa. In fact never take for granted that you won’t be at risk. Get proper, professional advice and get all the shots for Africa that are recommended. It’s true that some might cause mild discomfort for a day or two but that’s a lot better than the devastating, potentially life-threatening effect that full-blown Hepatitis will have on you.

The one common African disease that we haven’t mentioned so far is Malaria and you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need a shot for it, just some tablets. There are a number of these available and they have to be started some time before you travel in order to be effective. Some have side effects and lately Larium has been associated with hallucinations and Doxycyclene has been reported to give bad sun reactions – not something you want in Africa! In all cases this is something you should discuss with your medical practitioner – don’t take the word of some article you read on the internet – and definitely don’t buy your Malaria medication online – you might well be buying a tablet of chalk!

Seriously though, your African travel immunizations are important to your health. While we have experience to share with you, medical advances and changing conditions in the country you are traveling to mean you should always consult a suitably qualified professional. African volunteer organizations want you fit and well so they can get the best out of you and you can get the best from an incredible experience. The last thing you want is to be spending weeks in a sick bed – especially when your first objective might have been to help other people in theirs!