Vaccines for disease | Recommendations | Clinical Guidance for Healthcare providers |
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Routine vaccines | Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Varicella)Diphtheria-Tetanus-PertussisFlu (influenza)Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)PolioShingles | Immunization schedules |
COVID-19 | All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information. | COVID-19 vaccine |
Cholera | Active cholera transmission is widespread in South Africa. Cholera is rare in travelers. Certain factors may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease (more information). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera. Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission. The following areas do not have active cholera transmission: Cape Town, Durban, Kruger National Park, and Port Elizabeth. | Cholera – CDC Yellow Book |
Hepatitis A | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Africa.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given. Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin. | Hepatitis A – CDC Yellow BookDosing info – Hep A |
Hepatitis B | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to South Africa. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to South Africa. | Hepatitis B – CDC Yellow BookDosing info – Hep B |
Malaria | CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take. Find country-specific information about malaria. | Malaria – CDC Yellow BookConsiderations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)Malaria information for South Africa. |
Measles | Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. | Measles (Rubeola) – CDC Yellow Book |
Rabies | Rabid dogs are commonly found in South Africa. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in South Africa, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife. Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers) veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens. Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to South Africa. | Rabies – CDC Yellow Book |
Typhoid | Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. | Typhoid – CDC Yellow BookDosing info – Typhoid |
Yellow Fever | Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission.1 | Yellow Fever – CDC Yellow Book |