What vaccinations do I need for Kenya?
You will probably ask the above question when you’ve already settled for Kenya as a holiday destination.
Content:
What vaccinations do I need for Kenya?
You’ve probably even booked your plane tickets to Nairobi or Mombasa. Then the issue of health and safety comes up.
You know that you won’t enjoy your holiday if you get sick while you are in Kenya. Also, you do not want to pick up a disease and carry it back home.
Kenya is an impressive destination with just about everything. Wildlife Safaris and sandy beaches are perhaps the most popular attraction.
However, there are many more attractions including the snowy peak on Mount Kenya and the cultures of the 44 different tribes in the country.
To fully enjoy these attractions, you need to be vaccinated. WHO recommends vaccinations for these diseases for anyone headed to Kenya.
High-Risk Diseases
These are the diseases that you are most likely to get when you visit Kenya. It is absolutely crucial that you get vaccinated against these diseases.
- Hepatitis A. – can be transmitted through contaminated water or food. You can get it no matter which part of Kenya you choose to visit.
- Typhoid – is prevalent in most parts of Kenya. It can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. It is especially important to get vaccinated against typhoid if you plan to visit rural areas or if you plan to try out different foods while in the country.
Low-Risk Diseases
These are the diseases that you probably won’t get but there is still a risk if you visit particular areas of the country.
- Cholera – Travelers rarely get cholera in Kenya but if it happens it can get serious. Certain areas in Kenya are at a higher risk than others. The most recent outbreaks of Cholera happened in the Central and Western areas of the county.
In addition to vaccination, you should adopt measures that reduce the likelihood of contracting cholera. For example, make sure you only drink safe water and that you wash your hands regularly. 
Malaria – is present in Kenya and in most countries within the tropics. The probability of malaria infection increases the closer you get to a water body.
This includes coastal areas and areas near lakes. Highland areas are less likely to have malaria-carrying mosquito.
You can also take additional steps to avoid malaria. For example, you should ensure that you always sleep under a mosquito net while in Kenya.- Rabies – is found in the saliva of infected animals. You are at risk of contracting rabies if an infected animal bites you.
If you plan on participating in outdoor activities like camping you should get vaccinated.
Children should also get vaccinated especially if the children will be playing with animals. You should also report any bites you get from any animal in Kenya. - Yellow Fever – is transmitted by mosquitoes. The high-risk regions for yellow fever are the same as those of malaria since the diseases are transmitted by the same insect.
Conclusion
This information should only give you a general overview of the diseases you need to be vaccinated against before visiting Kenya.
You need to inform your doctor about your visit so that he can give you professional advice.
Once you get vaccinated, you can fully and safely enjoy your time in Kenya.
Hi, I’m Caroline Kimani. Born and raised in Kenya, I’ve spent over a decade working within the Kenyan immigration department, specializing in passport and visa issues. My experience has afforded me a unique insight into the intricacies of immigration procedures and the challenges applicants face. Passionate about helping others navigate these processes with ease, I’ve dedicated myself to providing valuable information to streamline the journey for fellow Kenyans and visitors alike.