The CDC recommends travelers be current on routine immunizations such as diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus, influenza, chickenpox, and measles/mumps/rubella. The federal agency notes these are shots people need anyway, even if they're not planning to travel abroad.
Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Some African countries, such as Ghana, require travelers to have yellow fever vaccinations before they can enter the country. Other countries, such as Kenya and Egypt, require proof of yellow fever vaccination if the traveler will enter their borders after being in an area with an outbreak.
The federal agency recommends travelers be vaccinated for hepatitis A for any country to be visited in Africa as the continent is high-risk for this disease. It also recommends vaccinations for Hepatitis B, as most of the continent is high-risk for this disease, and the remainder is intermediate risk. Other immunization recommendations are for polio, typhoid, rabies and meningitis. The CDC's website contains recommendations for each country in Africa.
The CDC's website also contains notices about the latest health issues in a country or region. These warnings will indicate what other precautions should be taken to prevent travelers from falling ill.
Travelers can get routine immunizations from their personal health care providers. The CDC recommends travelers visit a travel medicine clinic to get the more exotic vaccinations such as for yellow fever and typhoid. The CDC website has links to travel clinic directories and state health departments. Travelers can also contact their local health district to see what vaccinations are available. The CDC recommends starting immunizations four to six weeks in advance of the trip to give them time to take effect. It's also important to start early as some clinics limit the number of vaccinations during one visit.
The CDC strongly recommends travelers be prepared for a potential case of malaria. It advises travelers to discuss malaria prevention with their health care providers. Prevention options include antimalarial drugs, wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts, using insect repellent, and sleeping in air-conditioned rooms or using bednets.
