💉 Vaccination for travelers: a complete guide

Last updated Mar 10, 2025

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Where is yellow fever vaccination required?

Countries for which vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is recommended:

Countries where vaccination against meningococcal disease is recommended:

Preparing for a trip is not just about booking tickets and hotel reservations, no matter how much you might want to. The immunity of European residents is not adapted to the environment and infections of other regions, and in some countries you will not be allowed into the country without specific vaccinations.

Dangers can lurk even at home. If you often relax in the forests or barbecue in parks in the summer, it would be a good idea to get vaccinated against tick-borne encephalitis. This viral infection is transmitted through tick bites, causes severe intoxication and affects the brain and spinal cord.

However, I assume that you are going to a specific location. For example, an African country. And this trip probably began to be planned much in advance, which means that all the details have already been studied. It is important to understand that the vaccinations themselves can be a two-step process, requiring at least two weeks for you to develop immunity. But it still takes time, at least a month if there are several vaccinations.

Therefore, be sure to check the desired region and its epidemiological situation so that there are no outbreaks of any specific diseases there.

Recommended vaccinations for travelers from all countries:

Hepatitis A is a virus that is transmitted through food and water and affects the gastrointestinal tract.
Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection, also transmitted through water and food, affecting the gastrointestinal tract and internal organs of a person.
Diphtheria is an airborne bacterial infection that affects the oropharynx, larynx and bronchi.
Tetanus is an infection transmitted by contact (abrasions and infected wounds), affects the nervous system, causing severe convulsions.

If you are traveling for more than six months, also get vaccinated against hepatitis B: this is a viral infection that is transmitted through blood and body fluids (sexual contact, medical procedures) and affects the liver.

Important: no vaccine provides 100% protection against the disease. Therefore, watch what food and water you drink. Stay away from insects and practice good hygiene. Also know that the symptoms of some diseases may not appear immediately, and you may feel unwell already at home.

A long flight to distant exotic countries in itself is a serious shock to the body. While the body copes with the same jet lag, the immune system is weakened. Therefore, get well treated before your trip, undergo a medical examination and go to the dentist.

Recommended vaccinations for travel to Central and South America, Asia and Africa:

Rabies is an acute infectious disease, the causative agent: an infected animal, or rather its bite, rabies depresses the human nervous system.
Yellow fever is a virus transmitted through mosquitoes. Causes poisoning, kidney and liver damage. The disease is common in some countries in Africa, Central America and South America. In some African countries, yellow fever vaccination is a requirement for visiting. Without this vaccination, you may not be allowed into the country and will be turned away right at passport control. The vaccine includes the virus in a weakened form. The vaccination must be done at least 10 days before departure; it is valid for up to 10 years.
Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by certain species of mosquitoes. Symptoms: chills, headache, profuse sweating.
Cholera is an intestinal infection accompanied by intense vomiting and dehydration. Transmitted through food and water.

Despite the fact that most countries have already lifted or at least softened covid restrictions, there are still regions where a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 and/or PCR is still required. Therefore, keep track of this moment too

Where is yellow fever vaccination required?

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Gabon, Ghana, Guiana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Congo, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mauritius, Mali, Niger, Reunion and Sao Tome, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Togo, Central African Republic, o. Mayot, Principe Islands.

Countries for which vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is recommended:

Bali, Bangladesh, Brunei, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Cambodia, China, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, North Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Japan.

Countries where vaccination against meningococcal disease is recommended:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Uzbekistan and African countries.

Prevention while traveling in Africa:

Use insect repellent.
Try to drink only bottled water.
Monitor the quality and thermal processing of food. Eat in establishments you are confident in.
Let the first aid kit always be at hand.
Wash your hands regularly.
Wash fruits and brush your teeth only with bottled water.

What should be in your first aid kit:

Pain reliever;
Antipyretic;
Activated carbon and other drugs for the stomach;
Antiseptics;
Iodine;
Cream for burns and insect bites (which should still be avoided);
Sunscreen 50 spf;
Plasters, bandages;
Antimalarial drugs (the vaccine does not guarantee complete protection);
Pills for motion sickness;
Antihistamines for allergies.

If you are taking any additional medications, consult your doctor in advance. Some medications inhibit the effects of others. Also keep in mind that you can import drugs into many countries only with a doctor’s prescription.

Pay close attention to your health – then any of the most exotic places on our beautiful planet will definitely reveal its best side. Safe travels to you!