Vaccinations for Kenya

Have you got a trip to Kenya planned?

Kenya is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the African continent, famed for its vast savannahs, snow-capped mountains, and excellent safari opportunities. Travellers to this beautiful country, however, must be aware of the various health risks involved.

Kenya is a risk zone for malaria, dengue fever, schistosomiasis, and altitude sickness. It’s also associated with a number of diseases for which there are vaccines available. 

If you have a trip to Kenya from the UK planned, you should book an appointment with your GP or a doctor at a travel clinic, six to eight weeks before you leave the country. At this appointment you can discuss a number of travel health issues, and book the vaccinations you will need.

Are any vaccinations required for Kenya?

The first step in preparing for your trip to Kenya should be double checking that you are completely up to date on your routine British immunisations (you can find a list here). You can ask your GP for a record of your vaccinations if you aren’t sure.

Once you know you are up to date, you can talk to a doctor about receiving your travel vaccines. The current guidance is that travellers to Kenya should get vaccinated against the following diseases:

However vaccination information changes all the time, for up to date recommendations for your trip visit Travel Health Pro and NHS site, Fit for Travel.

The good news is that if you are fully up to date on your routine immunisations you can receive these vaccines as just two separate injections, both of which are usually free on the NHS:

Diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster

The diphtheria, polio & tetanus booster is administered as one injection. It offers protection against all three diseases.

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection, spread through coughs and sneezes. The symptoms include a sore throat, fever and difficulty breathing; in severe cases, diphtheria can cause fatal complications. It is more common in poor, overcrowded areas.

Polio is a viral infection that can cause paralysis. Though it has largely been eradicated due to global vaccination programmes, Kenya is still thought to be at risk of polio outbreaks. Polio is spread via the coughs, sneezes and faeces of infected people. Travellers to Kenya may be susceptible in areas with poor sanitation, where food and water has become contaminated.

Tetanus is a bacterial infection that causes painful spasms and stiffness in the neck muscles, leading to breathing difficulties. The bacteria is most commonly found in soil and animal manure; infection occurs when these bacteria get into an open wound.

Do I need Typhoid vaccine for Kenya?

Hepatitis A & typhoid vaccine: the hepatitis A & typhoid vaccine can be administered as one injection. It offers protection against both diseases.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which is spread in the faeces of an infected person. Travellers to Kenya may be exposed to this disease if they consume contaminated food or water (more likely in an area with poor sanitation). Most people recover from hepatitis A within a few months, but in some cases it can cause serious liver complications.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection which causes fever, stomach pains, headache, and constipation or diarrhoea. Left untreated it can lead to life-threatening complications such as internal bleeding. Like hepatitis A, typhoid is spread in the faeces of an infected person, and is most often contracted through the consumption of contaminated food or water.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Kenya?

You only need the yellow fever vaccine if you are travelling to high-risk areas of Kenya, or if you are coming into Kenya from another yellow fever risk zone (you will need to show your vaccination certificate upon entering Kenya).

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease that is a potential risk in western areas of Kenya (click here to view a map). Most people recover quickly from yellow fever, but some people will develop serious symptoms such as jaundice, and bleeding from the nose, mouth and eyes. Around half of all people who develop these more extreme symptoms die from the disease.

Other Kenya vaccinations to consider

Depending upon the kinds of activities you will be undertaking, and where in Kenya you will be travelling to, you may also consider getting vaccinated against the following diseases:

Do I need vaccines for Kenya?

To find out more about the recommended vaccinations, and which ones you will need for your trip, visit Travel Health Pro and NHS site, Fit for Travel.