General Vaccination Information & Yellow Fever in South Africa
Disease risk for those travelling to South Africa is low where the itinerary involves the major cities. There is no current requirement for yellow fever vaccination except where travellers have come from yellow fever zone countries such as sub-Saharan Africa. Even travellers transiting other African airports (such as Addis Ababa) are asked to produce International Certificates of Vaccination and Yellow Fever prophylaxis certificates when arriving in South Africa.
Hepatitis A & Typhoid Vaccinations
Vaccination against food and water related illnesses are commonly recommended and consist of Hepatitis A and typhoid fever vaccines. It is important that you follow the food and water precautions our doctor will outline to you. It is often sensible to carry loperamide for diarrhoea and perhaps an antibiotic for diarrhoea which our doctor will prescribe.
Rabies & Hepatitus B Vaccinations
Where your stay is prolonged you will be advised about the both Rabies and Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations as your risk of exposure is higher the longer you stay.
Malaria occurs in Kruger National Park and neighbouring private game reserves and at Victoria Falls. It also occurs in lowland areas in provinces of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Many travellers also visit nearby Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. All these areas require year round antimalarial tablets to be taken. This is irrespective of the fact that the risk is reduced in the winter months of June to September. There are 3 commonly prescribed types of antimalarial tablets with different degrees of side effects. Because antimalarials are only 90% effective you need to ensure that you strictly follow the mosquito avoidance methods our doctor will discuss with you.
Other Vaccinations & General Safe Travel Advice for South Africa
Where the itinerary includes rural areas and / or neighbouring countries precautions need to be taken against Tick bite fever(rickettsiosis), schistosomiasis and occasionally Rift Valley fever.
Traveller’s need to practice safe sex practices as it is estimated that about ½ of sex workers there are HIV positive.
Some of the highest crime rates in the world occur in South Africa (esp. Johannesburg) Security precautions will be discussed when you attend our clinic.