How to Get Immunizations for Malawi

The Republic of Malawi is located in southern Africa. Known for its hospitality to travelers, Malawi is a haven for nature lovers. It has national parks, game reserves and beautiful scenery. Hikers and mountain climbers enjoy visiting Malawi. To get immunizations for a visit to Malawi, use these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Obtain a doctor's opinion about taking antibiotics for plague prevention. Malawi has had plague outbreaks since 2000, but travelers are usually at low risk. Check the CDC website and World Health Organization (WHO) website for current information about the location of plague outbreaks. (See Resources below.)

2. Check the itinerary. Malawi is not in the yellow fever endemic zone, but its neighbor, Tanzania, is. Yellow fever vaccination certification is not required for entry into Malawi unless arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. If traveling to Malawi from a yellow fever area, obtain an International Certification of Vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever. The certificate must be issued at least 10 days before arrival and is good for 10 years.

3. Visit your doctor at least four to six weeks before travel to get vaccinated for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, polio and typhoid. Be sure to also get boosters for all routine immunizations, like diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), polio, influenza, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) and chicken pox. Check regularly with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for any changes in the recommendations and requirements.

4. Discuss with a medical doctor taking preventatives for malaria. Malaria is prevalent in Malawi. Take the medication according to doctor's instructions. Anti-malarial drugs effective in Malawi are atovaquone/ proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine. Chloroquine is not effective in Malawi; it should not be used to prevent malaria when visiting this country. Take the medication according to doctor's instructions and purchase it in the U.S. Begin taking atovaquone/ proguanil or doxycycline one to two days before arriving in a malaria risk area; start mefloquine one week before traveling to a malaria risk area. Continue for up to four weeks after leaving, based on the doctor's recommendation.

5. Prevent plague, malaria and other insect-borne diseases by wearing long sleeves, long pants and hats when outdoors. Use insect repellent and sleep under netting when indoors. Stay indoors during dawn and dusk; these are the peak biting times.

Tips & Warnings

• The CDC recommends seeing a medical doctor who specializes in travel medicine. A list of travel medicine clinics appears on the CDC website.
• The U.S. State Department issues warnings, bulletins and alerts for U.S. citizens traveling abroad and a Consular Information Sheet on every country. Check the State Department periodically before traveling for updated information on travel to Malawi.
• Speak to the doctor about other medications, including those bought over-the-counter. Some medicines, such as diarrhea medicine, may be helpful.
• Always tell the doctor about a suppressed immune system or if pregnant or breast-feeding. This may alter the immunization procedures. Also, be aware that children's immunizations differ from adults; speak with a doctor about children's vaccinations.

Resources

• Visit the CDC website.
• Check the U.S. State Department website.
• Visit the World Health Organization website.