South Africa Travel Vaccinations

Your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will assess your current vaccine status, and determine what vaccines you will require given whereabouts in South Africa you plan to go, the length of your stay and what you will be doing whilst there. Your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will also discuss country-specific medications that you might want to consider taking with you to South Africa.
IPSA Medical recommends attending your IPSA Medical vaccine clinic 4–6 weeks before your intended visit to South Africa.

All travellers going to South Africa

First, your IPSA Medical vaccine specialist will want to ensure you are up to date with routine vaccinations and you may also need to get some extra vaccinations, which he/she will advise you on during your vaccine consultation.

What routine vaccines will I need to have?

What vaccines are recommended for most travellers to South Africa?

South Africa holds a risk for hepatitis A and typhoid.
Hepatitis A: The CDC recommends the hepatitis A vaccine, as, no matter where you plan to stay or what you plan to eat, hepatitis A can be contracted through contaminated food and water when you are in South Africa.
Typhoid: The CDC recommends the typhoid vaccine as typhoid can be contracted through contaminated food and water, especially if you are slightly more adventurous with your diet, are visiting smaller South African cities, or staying with friends/relatives.

What vaccines should some travellers to South Africa have?

When you are at your IPSA Medical vaccine consultation, your IPSA Medical specialist will run through with you what medicines/vaccines you will need for your South African trip based on the duration of your intended visit, where you plan to go, what you plan to do when in the country, and also if you are travelling to South Africa from outside of Britain.
Hepatitis B: You can contract hepatitis B from blood/blood products, sexual contacts or from contaminated needles. If you are planning on having sex with a new sexual partner, getting a tattoo/piercing or undergoing certain medical treatments/procedures then the hepatitis B vaccine is recommended.
Malaria: During your IPSA Medical vaccine consultation, your IPSA Medical physician will discuss malaria prevention with you. You may need to take anti-malarial medications before, during and after your trip, especially if you are planning to visit low-altitude regions.
Rabies: Rabies is found in dogs, bats and other mammals in South Africa. You should have the rabies vaccine if you are in any way at risk from animal bites during your stay:

Yellow fever: South Africa has no yellow fever risk, but the South African government asks for proof of having the yellow fever vaccination if you enter South Africa from yellow fever risk countries.
For your same-day IPSA Medical South African vaccination consultation, call your nearest IPSA Medical clinic or make your booking online.