Destination guide
Travel vaccines for Côte d'Ivoire
A yellow fever certificate is required for entry, and malaria is a year-round risk. Here is what business and VFR travellers need before flying.
Overview
What vaccinations do I need for Côte d'Ivoire?
For most travellers to Côte d'Ivoire, the core recommendations are hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and yellow fever, with malaria tablets advised for the whole country all year round. Yellow fever is not just recommended here, it is a legal entry requirement, so you must carry a valid International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP).
Depending on what you will be doing and where you go, your pharmacist may also discuss hepatitis B, rabies, meningococcal disease, cholera and others. Travellers heading to the north of the country, which sits within the African meningitis belt, and those visiting friends and relatives (VFR) often need a broader set of vaccines. These are general recommendations from TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC), which we confirm for you at a short consultation.
Plan ahead
Book 4–6 weeks before you fly
Aim to see us four to six weeks before departure so courses can be completed and your yellow fever certificate is valid in time. Last-minute travel is still worth a visit, as we can often prioritise the most important protection and start malaria tablets promptly.
Recommended vaccinations
Vaccines commonly advised for Côte d'Ivoire
The list below follows TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC) guidance for Côte d'Ivoire and is tailored to your plans at your appointment.
Hepatitis A
Most travellers
Spread through contaminated food and water, which is a real risk across the country, so this is advised for almost everyone.
Tetanus
Most travellers
A good moment to check your booster is current, as wounds can be hard to treat cleanly while travelling.
Typhoid
Most travellers
Recommended given the food and water hygiene risk, particularly for VFR travellers eating in family homes.
Yellow fever
Most travellers
A certificate is required for entry to Côte d'Ivoire and must be given at least 10 days before travel at a registered centre like ours.
Chikungunya
Some travellers
Spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes; discuss with your pharmacist if you have longer stays or specific risk factors.
Cholera
Some travellers
Considered for those working in relief settings or travelling to areas with poor sanitation and limited clean water.
Dengue
Some travellers
Present in Côte d'Ivoire; vaccination may be relevant for some travellers, and bite avoidance matters for everyone.
Hepatitis B
Some travellers
Advised for longer trips, healthcare or aid work, and anyone who may need medical or dental care while away.
Measles (MMR)
Some travellers
Make sure you have had two lifetime doses, as measles still circulates and outbreaks occur.
Meningococcal disease
Some travellers
Important if you travel to the north, which lies in the African meningitis belt, or during the dry season.
Polio
Some travellers
A polio-containing booster may be recommended; check your record so you are protected before you fly.
Rabies
Some travellers
Worth considering for longer stays, rural travel, or if you may be around dogs and other animals, as post-bite care can be hard to access.
Tuberculosis
Some travellers
Mainly relevant for longer stays or close contact settings such as healthcare; your pharmacist can advise on suitability.
Entry rules — separate from your jabs
Yellow fever certificate: what Côte d'Ivoire requires
A yellow fever certificate requirement is a legal condition of entry — it is not the same thing as the vaccine being recommended for your health. The recommendation (when there is one) appears in the vaccine list above; the entry rule is below.
Côte d'Ivoire requires a yellow fever certificate from ALL arrivals
Every traveller aged 9 months or older must show a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) — or a medical exemption letter — to enter Côte d'Ivoire, whichever country they arrive from. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, so plan ahead.
Separately, yellow fever transmission does occur in Côte d'Ivoire — so the vaccine itself may be advised for your health; see the vaccine list above and we'll confirm at your consultation.
Malaria & mosquitoes
Malaria and mosquito-borne illness in Côte d'Ivoire
There is a high risk of malaria throughout Côte d'Ivoire all year round, so antimalarial tablets are recommended for the whole country. Depending on your health and preferences, the options are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine. Malaria can be life-threatening, and no tablet is a substitute for avoiding bites, so we combine the two.
- Take tablets exactly as prescribed, before, during and after your trip
- Use DEET repellent and sleep under a treated net where needed
- Get any fever within a year of return checked urgently
FAQ
Côte d'Ivoire travel vaccines — FAQs
Getting ready for Côte d'Ivoire?
Book a travel health consultation at our Altrincham clinic and we will sort your yellow fever certificate, malaria tablets and vaccines in one visit.