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Southern Africa
🇿🇦 Vaccines for South Africa
Entry requirements and CDC/WHO recommendations for travel to South Africa.
Yellow Fever certificate required if you're arriving from certain countries — including if you've transited through one. The health picture varies enormously by region. Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Garden Route? No malaria. Kruger and the northeastern border areas? Prophylaxis essential. Know your itinerary before you make decisions.
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 if arriving from endemic country — including transit through some countries.
💉 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 CDC / WHO
Hepatitis A
Food and water contamination risk in rural areas.
💉 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
Risk mainly in rural KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
💉 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
Disease risks
- ⚠Malaria (northeastern areas — Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal north coast)
- ⚠Schistosomiasis (eastern rivers)
Notes: Yellow Fever required from endemic countries. Cape Town/Johannesburg/Garden Route: no malaria. Kruger National Park and northeastern border areas: malaria prophylaxis essential.
Approximate cost per person
Required vaccines
~€74
(~$81)
per person · full courses
Yellow Fever (1 dose)€74 ($81)
Recommended vaccines
~€249
(~$271)
per person · full courses
Hepatitis A (2 doses)€140 ($152)
Typhoid (1 dose)€45 ($49)
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.
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Data based on WHO International Travel and Health and CDC Yellow Book 2026. Last verified: April 2026. Always verify current requirements with a travel health clinic before departure.