Vaccines
Zanzibar essential vaccines: Mandatory yellow fever only if you are traveling from a risk country (Latin America/Sub-Saharan Africa), international certificate required input. Recommended vaccinesHepatitis A (mandatory practice), updated tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid fever, hepatitis B (long stays/health contact). Malaria CRITICALZanzibar high risk zone - mandatory prophylaxis (Malarone/Doxycycline/Mefloquine) medical consultation 4-6 weeks before, DEET repellant 30-50%mosquito nets, long-sleeved clothing at dusk/evening. Travel insuranceMandatory medical coverage minimum 50.000 EUR including evacuation. International travel specialist consultation 4-8 weeks before travel update vaccinations start malaria prophylaxis.
Vaccines Zanzibar
| Vaccine | Mandatory | Details | When to vaccinate | Cost approx. |
| Yellow fever | MANDATORY only risk countries | International certificate required if traveling from Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Uganda, Sub-Saharan Africa or transit +12h. NOT required from Europe/USA/Asia. | Single dose valid 10 days later | 20-40 EUR |
| Hepatitis A | HIGHLY recommended | Contaminated water/food present. Practically mandatory. | 2 doses: 0 and 6-12 months | 40-60 EUR |
| Tetanus/Diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) | Recommended | Updated reinforcement every 10 years. Essential wounds/cuts. | Booster if +10 years last dose | 30-50 EUR |
| Typhoid fever | Recommended | Contaminated water/food. | Oral (3 capsules) or injectable (single dose) | 40-60 EUR |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended for long stays | Stays +3 months, sanitary contact, tattoos/piercings. | 3 doses: 0, 1 and 6 months | 50-80 EUR |
| Rabia | Animal contact only | Travelers adventure in rural areas, contact with dogs/bats. | 3 pre-exposure doses (day 0, 7, 21) | 150-300 EUR |
| Polio | Recommended | If not vaccinated in childhood or from at-risk countries. | Single dose booster | 30-50 EUR |
| MALARIA | MANDATORY prophylaxis | Zanzibar HIGH RISK zone 365 days. Plasmodium falciparum potentially fatal. ALL islands including Stone Town, Nungwi, Paje. | Medical consultation 4-6 weeks before | See table below |
Malaria prophylaxis Zanzibar
| Medication | Dose | When to take | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) | 1 tablet daily | Start 1-2 days before → During the trip → 7 days after the trip | Better tolerated, fewer side effects, short post-travel period | MOST EXPENSIVE |
| Doxycycline | 1 tablet daily | Start 1-2 days before → During trip → 4 weeks later | CHEAP, effective | Photosensitivity, stomach discomfort, long post-travel period |
| Mefloquine (Lariam) | 1 tablet per week | Start 2-3 weeks before → During the trip → 4 weeks after the trip | Comfortable weekly dose | Neuropsychiatric effects possible (anxiety, nightmares), contraindicated psychiatric problems |
IMPORTANTPrescription is mandatory. Medical consultation 4-6 weeks before choosing appropriate prophylaxis according to health history.
Frequently asked questions Zanzibar vaccines
What vaccinations are mandatory for Zanzibar?
Yellow fever MANDATORY only if you are traveling from country risk (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Uganda, sub-Saharan African countries) or transit +12 hours airport - country at risk - (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, Uganda, sub-Saharan African countries) or transit +12 hours airport - country at risk international certificate yellow carnet OMS required for border entry. NOT mandatory traveling directly Europe/Asia/North America (Spain, UK, USA). Recommended vaccines (practically mandatory): Hepatitis A present water/food, updated tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid fever, hepatitis B long stays. Consultation with risk countries WHO Yellow Feverinformation CDC Travel.
Is malaria prophylaxis necessary for Zanzibar?
YES, malaria prophylaxis is MANDATORY. - Zanzibar high risk zone malaria 365 days (potentially fatal Plasmodium falciparum) includes Stone Town, Nungwi, Paje, ALL island. MedicationsMalarone (best tolerated 60-80 EUR per week), Doxycycline (cheap 10-20 EUR), Mefloquine (side effects). PreventionDEET repellent 30-50% every 4-6 hours, impregnated mosquito nets, long-sleeved clothing 18:00-6:00, air conditioning. Medical consultation 4-6 weeks before choose appropriate prophylaxis, take full doses before/during/after travel. According to CDC Malariaessential to prevent serious illness" prophylaxis. NOT optional.
When should I get vaccinated before traveling to Zanzibar?
Medical consultation 4-8 weeks before travel medicine travel center (Ministry of Health Spain) sufficient time: Complete vaccination series (hepatitis A 2 doses, hepatitis B 3 doses months), start malaria prophylaxis (Mefloquine 2-3 weeks before, Malarone/Doxycycline 1-2 days before), obtain yellow fever certificate valid 10 days after vaccination. Recommended vaccinesHepatitis A mandatory practice, updated tetanus/diphtheria, typhoid fever, malaria prophylaxis prescription. CostYellow fever 20-40 EUR, hepatitis A 40-60 EUR, consultation 30-60 EUR. Information CDC Travel.