Destination guide
Travel vaccines for Madagascar
Wildlife-rich and remote, Madagascar rewards careful planning. Here is what UK travellers should sort before flying, from vaccines to year-round malaria protection.
Overview
What vaccinations do I need for Madagascar?
For most travellers to Madagascar, we advise being up to date with hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus. Depending on your plans, activities and medical history, we may also discuss hepatitis B, rabies, measles (MMR), polio, tuberculosis, chikungunya and dengue.
Malaria is present across the whole island all year, so antimalarial tablets are recommended alongside good bite avoidance. Madagascar also has an ongoing risk of plague, mainly in the highlands, so it is worth knowing the basics. These are general recommendations from TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC); we confirm your personal plan at a short consultation.
Plan ahead
Book 4–6 weeks before you fly
Some vaccines, like rabies and hepatitis B, work best over a short course of appointments, and malaria tablets need starting before you travel. Booking four to six weeks ahead gives us time to get everything right, though it is still worth coming in even if your trip is soon.
Recommended vaccinations
Vaccines commonly advised for Madagascar
The list below follows TravelHealthPro (UKHSA/NaTHNaC) guidance and is tailored to you at your appointment.
Hepatitis A
Most travellers
Spread through contaminated food and water, which is a real risk given variable sanitation across the island.
Tetanus
Most travellers
Worth a booster before adventurous or rural travel, where cuts and grazes are more likely and care may be far away.
Typhoid
Most travellers
Recommended for most trips because of food and water hygiene risks, especially on longer or off-the-beaten-track journeys.
Chikungunya
Some travellers
A mosquito-borne infection we may discuss for certain travellers; bite avoidance during the day matters too.
Dengue
Some travellers
Spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes; we can talk through whether the newer vaccine suits your history and plans.
Hepatitis B
Some travellers
Considered for longer stays, adventurous travel, or anyone who might need medical or dental care while away.
Measles
Some travellers
Check you have had two MMR doses, as measles still circulates and outbreaks have occurred in Madagascar.
Polio
Some travellers
Usually given as a combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster if you are due one.
Rabies
Some travellers
Advised for wildlife and rural travel or long trips, as reliable post-exposure treatment can be hard to reach quickly.
Tuberculosis
Some travellers
May be considered for longer stays or close contact with local communities, particularly in younger travellers.
Entry rules — separate from your jabs
Yellow fever certificate: what Madagascar 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.
Flying direct from the UK? No yellow fever certificate needed for Madagascar
Madagascar only asks for a certificate (ICVP) from travellers aged 9 months+ who arrive from — or pass through — a country with yellow fever risk, and airport layovers over 12 hours in a risk country count. That catches out multi-country itineraries, so check your whole route, not just your destination.
There is no yellow fever transmission risk in Madagascar itself — this rule exists purely to stop the virus being carried in from elsewhere.
Malaria & mosquitoes
Malaria and mosquito-borne illness in Madagascar
There is a high risk of malaria across the whole of Madagascar, all year round. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for the entire country, with atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine as suitable options. We will match the right tablet to your itinerary, health and preferences, and combine it with steady bite avoidance to also lower dengue and chikungunya risk.
- Year-round malaria risk across the whole island
- Choice of atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine
- Cover up, use DEET repellent and sleep under a treated net
FAQ
Madagascar travel vaccines — FAQs
Getting ready for Madagascar?
Book a travel health consultation and we will map out your vaccines, malaria tablets and plague awareness for a smooth, well-protected adventure.