When your first trip to the motherland (Africa) is booked and confirmed, you’ll likely experience a surge of emotions, ranging from the excitement of anticipating a new adventure and, perhaps, a tiny tingle of anxiety about possible health concerns (often fueled by friends or family who have never traveled to Africa). The good news is, with sound medical advice from your doctor, up-to-date vaccinations, and good, old-fashioned common sense (like not drinking tap water), you are very unlikely to have any serious health concerns. Ironically, the riskiest part of any journey in terms of your health is likely to be the long-haul flight.

How Much We Paid for Our Vaccines

Ultimately, we paid a total of $330 for our vaccines for our trip to Tanzania & Kenya. Because we were traveling to Kenya, a Yellow Fever Vaccine was required. We were able to get our Yellow Fever Vaccination for $225 from a local Vaccination Clinic and Typhoid for $105 from Walgreens. We were fortunate to get all of our other vaccines and Anti-Malaria Pills from our regular doctor for FREE.

When We Got Our Vaccines

We got our vaccinations within a month of our travel date, but I would highly recommend planning 2-3 months in advance so you don’t have to get several vaccinations at one time like we did. (Shaking my damn head) I mean, it wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t pleasant either. You have to remember that when you get vaccines, you are literally infecting yourself with a small dose of the virus so that your body can fight it off and build immunity. My arm definitely felt like a rock for like 3 DAYS! The moral of this story is to make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date. You should check with your doctor about which vaccines you need to visit the specific countries you are traveling to in Africa.

Routine Vaccination Tips

Some diseases that have been made rare in your home country due to routine vaccinations may be far more common in the developing world. As such, it’s recommended that you visit your healthcare provider four to six weeks before you travel to ensure that you are up to date with the following routine vaccinations:

• Flu
• MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles)
• Polio
• Hepatitis A & B
• DPT – diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus

Securing these routine vaccinations is typically hassle-free. In fact, you can often receive them at conveniently located places like Walgreens. These essential vaccinations are typically covered by your regular insurance, resulting in minimal to no out-of-pocket expenses for you.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow fever is spread by a species of mosquito that is common in the ‘yellow fever belt,’ which stretches across parts of Africa and South America. It’s easily prevented with a simple and highly effective vaccination that’s routinely available from travel clinics.

You must have the vaccination at least 10 days before you plan on entering a yellow fever area. This is because it takes a few days before you are effectively protected, and you may experience flu-like symptoms, which are unpleasant on a long-haul flight. Once you’ve had the shot, the travel clinic will issue you with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (IVCP) that proves you’ve been inoculated.

Important: Only a travel clinic can issue a yellow fever certificate. Click here to find doctor’s offices in your area that are licensed Vaccination Clinics and compare pricing since prices for travel vaccines can vary and usually aren’t covered by insurance.  We were quoted various pricing ranging from $225- $500 for Yellow Fever. 

Malaria Prevention

Malaria is one of the most common diseases in Africa but is easily preventable and treatable with antimalarial medication. Visit your doctor to get advice about whether you should take antimalarial prophylactics as soon as you know when and where you’ll be traveling. Adhere to the prescribed schedule of your antimalarial prophylactics to ensure that they work as planned.

By planning ahead, staying informed about vaccination requirements, and adhering to medical advice, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to an East Africa Country. For more information on vaccine recommendations for specific countries, visit the CDC Traveler’s Health website. Safe travels!