Travel Vaccinations for South Africa

The table below provides a general guide as to the Travel Vaccinations that may be advised to you for travel to South Africa

Recommended Vaccinations for South Africa at a Glance
All Travellers: MMR, DTP

Some Travellers: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies, TB

Vaccination Major Risk Factors Course Price
MMR Person-to-Person Course of Two £60
DTP Person-to-Person Single Dose £50
Typhoid Person-to-Person Single Dose £66
Hepatitis A Person-to-Person Single Dose £89
Hepatitis B Person-to-Person Course of Three £66
Rabies Person-to-Person Course of 3/4- intradermal £66
TB Person-to-Person One Dose £60 + £20 (appointment fee)

South Africa is hugely popular with tourists with its safari destination Kruger National Park, beaches of the Western Cape, the winelands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, forests and lagoons along the Garden Route, and the city of Cape Town, beneath Table Mountain.

Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK including MMR and DTP.

There is no risk of yellow fever in South Africa, but a vaccination certificate is required.

The risk of malaria varies across the country, but travellers should take bite avoidance measures throughout the year. Antimalarials are recommended depending on the area being visited and the time of year.

There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) or higher, such as Mafadi Peak at 3,450m.

There is No Risk of Yellow Fever in South Africa

Keep up-to-date with the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) before travelling.

Advice for Travellers to all Destinations

The Vaccinations and Medications that are needed for travel vary from person-to-person. Everyone should have a personal risk assessment with a travel health professional to take into account a range of factors such as itinerary, medical condition, occupational and lifestyle risk factors and previous vaccination history.

All Travellers

All Travellers should ensure that they are up-to-date with Routine Vaccinations including Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

Most Travellers

Most travellers will also need to consider a course or booster of Hepatitis A and Typhoid as there is a risk of these diseases across most parts of the world.

Some Travellers

Some Travellers may also be advised additional vaccinations such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B based on their individual risk assessment.

Risk of Malaria in South Africa

Malaria is spread by the plasmodium parasite passed to humans from the bite of an anopheles mosquito. Malaria is a serious illness with symptoms include fever, chills, sweats and flu like symptoms. In severe cases, malaria can be fatal. There isn’t currently a vaccine available for our travellers, although there are other ways to protect yourself, see Malaria Information for Travellers.

There is a Low to No Risk of Malaria across most of South Africa, however there is a High Risk in the low altitude regions of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province which includes Kruger National Park. Travellers are advised however to be risk assessed for travel to South Africa.

Malaria Prevention

Travellers to areas where there is a Risk of Malaria should get advice regarding Malaria Medication which can be taken to help stop the illness from developing. The type of medication required depends on your destination, itinerary, length of stay and current medical condition. Further reduce the risk of by practicing mosquito Bite Avoidance by using Insect Repellent such as DEET 50% and covering exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and trousers.

What our customers say about us.

We love what we do, we believe our enthusiasm shows and we’re very proud of our excellent reputation. We work hard to maintain it, and it’s great when people appreciate our efforts.

Nicolas Charlet
17 March 2023

Incredible service – so helpful
Excellent service! Chazile went above and beyond to prepare me for my travels to south east Asia. Very kind, sharp and added helpful bits of information that will be useful during my travels. Even created a vaccine booklet for me that I asked for to keep track of my vaccines for the future. Highly recommended The London Vaccination Clinic. Thanks again Chazile 🙂 Nick

Ines Lopes
11 March 2023

Travel vacines

Attended a consultation for travel vacines, the nurse explained everything with care, provided good advice. We then add a follow up consultation with a different nurse for the vaccines and was also very kind and professional. Was very impressed, we did not feel pressured to have more vacines then reasonable and both nurses gave pricing information upfront.

Sophie Harris
13 March 2023

Very positive experience

Really easy to book and the nurse who I saw in Liverpool Street was really kind and helpful. She went through my vaccination history, what I needed for my trip and explained everything I needed to know ahead of administrating the vaccine I needed.
I am glad I arrived early as the venue was tricky to find as the name of the building has changed so doesn’t match Google maps. Put me in a slight panic as I thought I was going to miss my appointment but I found it in the end!

Kyra
21 March 2023

Thorough and helpful consult

Thorough and helpful consult. Professional and pleasant experience, amazing and k knowledgeable staff!

Arnie
08 March 2023

My nurse was a beautiful soul inside…

My nurse was a beautiful soul inside and out. I have a fear of needles and she was so patient and reassuring from beginning to end. She asked me questions, helped me to relax and made me feel like an individual rather than just someone on the list for the day.

Our Nurses

At the London Vaccination Clinic, we are proud to introduce our team of expert nurses who are dedicated to providing excellent customer care and over delivering for our customers. Our nurses possess a high level of skill and expertise, ensuring that every individual receives the best possible preparation and protection for their travel needs, regardless of their destination or personal circumstances.

We prioritize the development of our nurses and take pride in their continuous growth. All our nurses are registered with the UK regulatory body, ensuring their professionalism and adherence to the highest standards of care. To further enhance their knowledge and skills, our nurses receive regular training from our medical and clinical directors, who provide them with the latest updates and advancements in the field.

As a CQC regulated and approved clinic, we are committed to delivering the highest quality of care to our patients. Our dedication to excellence extends across all our clinics located throughout the UK. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where individuals can receive comprehensive and personalized care for their travel health needs.

At the London Vaccination Clinic, we understand the importance of your health and well-being while traveling. Our team of skilled nurses is here to ensure that you are well-prepared and protected, allowing you to embark on your journey with confidence and peace of mind.

We operate under the rigorous standards set by the CQC and are committed to delivering top-notch care to our patients at every one of our UK clinics.

Download our CQC report here. 

Further Travel Health Advice for South Africa

The South African climate is mostly temperate, with extreme heat in the South-West, coastal regions. Summer temperatures can rise to 33 or higher. Remember to apply sunblock (SPV at least 15). See Heat and Sunburn for further information.

South Africa has a high level of crime. Travellers to tourist regions are generally safe, and the authorities give high priority to the safety of tourists. Incidents of break-ins and robberies are common. Keep up-to-date with the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before travelling to South Africa.

The entry requirements for South Africa are such that immigration officials can ask to see the birth certificate of any child you are travelling with, particularly if the parent’s surnames are different. While this has been relaxed and is less common for British nationals to be asked, it’s good to be aware that it could happen as part of your entry requirements

Street dogs and cats are not uncommon in South Africa. If you get bitten or scratched, you will need to get urgent medical attention. Animal bites expose you to a range of infections including rabies.

South Africa’s food is delicious and varied, from the cuisine of different indigenous peoples, as well as food brought over, created and merged during the various waves of colonisation.

We thoroughly recommend checking out all the different types of local cuisine, but be aware that contamination is a possibility. In 2018, South Africa experienced one of the world’s worst outbreaks of food contamination. Get the right vaccinations for South Africa that you need for your type of trip and don’t eat anywhere that doesn’t look sanitary.