TAILOR MADE SAFARI

VACCINATION & IMMUNIZATION

What Vaccination & immunization do I need to climb Kilimanjaro?​

Vaccinations and immunization its of high importance and priority before visiting Tanzania. Therefore, a month or two before you travel to Tanzania, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local travel clinic, or with your GP to discuss vaccinations and immunization. It’s a good idea to do this early so that any side-effects you might suffer are finished before you travel. The following information was obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tanzania.

 

Recommended Vaccinations & Immunization.

The following vaccines are recommended for travelers who want to visit East Africa. It best recommended for a visitor to discuss theirr personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines they will need.

  • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can be transmitted from person-to-person through contact. Also, through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked.
  • Hepatitis B, can be transmitted if a person is exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population. It can also be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
  • Meningococcal (meningitis) tourists planning to visit countries in this region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June should be immunized or take vaccination.
  • Rabies, pre-exposure vaccination. Extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities. it is possible to be infected by rabies.
  • Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors.
  • Yellow fever: A viral disease that occurs primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus is also present in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers to endemic areas and may be required to cross certain international borders. Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10-year intervals if there is on-going risk.
  • As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adult.

Non-Communicable Disease​

Malaria

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. Humans get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. The risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa, including cities. All travelers to East Africa, including infants, children, and former residents of East Africa, may be at risk for malaria. In order to prevent this serious disease is by seeing a health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites.

All travelers should take one of the following drugs:

  • atovaquone/proguanil,
  • doxycycline,
  • mefloquine, or
  • primaquine (in special circumstances).

Yellow Fever Vaccination

A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Tanzania when arriving from countries where yellow fever is present.

Communicable Disease

Covid

As of September 15, 2022, travelers arriving to Tanzania by air are now exempt from all vaccination and testing requirements. Therefore, there are no Covid-19 related requirements for nearly all of our clients, who fly in and out of Kilimanjaro airport for their trips.

However, for those coming to Tanzania through land borders (such as crossing over from Kenya), there are still requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Fully vaccinated travelers (those with two doses of vaccines) arriving through land borders are exempt from COVID-19 test requirements for entry to Tanzania, provided that they present a valid vaccination certificate for verification.

Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travelers arriving through land borders are required to present a negative Covid-19 test to enter Tanzania. The test must be a PCR Test that was done within 72 hours of departure to Tanzania. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated may also be required to take a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival through land borders. We are not responsible for clients who are denied entry due to failure to meet Tanzania’s regulations.

To stay Safe and Healthy

  • Wash hands often with soap and water or, if hands are not visibly soiled, use a waterless, alcohol-based hand rub to remove potentially infectious materials from your skin and help prevent disease transmission.
  •   Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, learn how to make water safer to drink.
  • To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches.
  • Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed. (See your health care provider for a prescription.
  •  Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites:
  •  Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors.
  • Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
  •     If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.