West Africa
🇸🇱 Vaccines for Sierra Leone
Entry requirements & recommendations for travel to Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone requires Yellow Fever vaccination for entry — a firm requirement. Malaria is endemic at high risk throughout the country, making antimalarial medication essential for any visit. Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, and Rabies are also recommended. Sierra Leone, along with Guinea and Liberia, was at the centre of the 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak — while no active outbreak is ongoing, this recent history is part of the country's context and underscores checking current health advisories. Sierra Leone has beautiful beaches around Freetown and is slowly rebuilding tourism after both the Ebola outbreak and a prior civil war, though infrastructure remains limited. Healthcare in Freetown is the best available but still very limited.
Medical disclaimer: This is general information only — not personal medical advice. Requirements and risks change. Always consult a qualified travel health clinic before departure.
Required for entry
Yellow Fever
Certificate required for entry.
💉 1 dose (lifetime)
📅 Book at least 3 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 10 days after vaccination. Certificate valid for life.
🛡 Protects for: Lifetime (single dose).
Required for entry
Recommended by WHO & CDC
Hepatitis A
Food and water contamination.
💉 2 doses
📅 Book at least 4 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 2 weeks after 1st dose. Full protection after 2nd dose (6–12 months later).
🛡 Protects for: 1st dose ~1 yr. 2nd dose: lifetime.
Recommended
Typhoid
Contaminated food and water.
💉 1 dose
📅 Book at least 3 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 2 weeks after vaccination.
🛡 Protects for: 3–5 years. Booster recommended if re-exposure.
Recommended
Hepatitis B
Blood and sexual contact.
💉 3 doses
📅 Book at least 26 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: After full 3-dose course. Accelerated 3-week schedule available — ask your clinic.
🛡 Protects for: Lifetime after full course.
Recommended
Disease risks
- ⚠Malaria (high risk)
- ⚠Yellow Fever
- ⚠Lassa Fever
- ⚠Cholera
Approximate cost per person
Required vaccines
~€74
(~$81)
per person · full courses
Yellow Fever (1 dose)€74 ($81)
Recommended vaccines
~€438
(~$478)
per person · full courses
Hepatitis A (2 doses)€140 ($152)
Typhoid (1 dose)€45 ($49)
Hepatitis B (3 doses)€189 ($207)
Malaria tablets (4 weeks) (1 dose)€64 ($70)
💡 Approximate figures based on private European travel clinic rates (April 2026). Actual costs vary by clinic and country. Not all recommended vaccines will apply to every trip — discuss your specific itinerary with a travel health clinic.