FOR ALL COUNTRIES (BELOW)

Check routine immunisations including tetanus.

Immunisation against poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and typhoid.

Yellow fever immunisation for many countries - risk to the traveller varies with itinerary but immunisation is always advised within the endemic zone (unless travel is exclusively to urban areas at high altitude) and may be mandatory - see individual entries below.

Meningococcal A&C immunisation recommended for longer visits to certain countries (see entries below) especially if backpacking or living or working with local people, or if current outbreaks reported. The risk is greatest in the dry season, but these may vary within a country and from year to year. As a guide, dry season in West Africa is usually between November-May/June. In East Africa, seasons are variable.

For those on longer visits consider immunisation against diphtheria and hepatitis B and check BCG status; for rural visits out of reach of medical attention, consider immunisation against rabies.