How to Get Immunizations for Uganda

Uganda, located in East Africa, features many lakes and rivers, and is home to the mountain gorilla. Principal cities in Uganda are Entebbe, with a large airport, and Kampala, the capital. Follow these steps to get immunizations for visiting Uganda.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Ask a doctor about meningitis (meningoccal) vaccination. The extreme northeast part of Uganda is part of the "Meningitis Belt." For travelers visiting that area during the dry season (December through June), the CDC recommends a meningococcal vaccination.

2. Use insect repellent and sleep under netting when indoors to prevent malaria and other insect-carried diseases. Dengue, leishmaniasis, filariasis and river blindness (onchocerciasis) occur in East Africa. African sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) is epidemic in Uganda. Wear long sleeves, long pants and hats when outdoors. Stay indoors during dawn and dusk, the peak biting times. Plague also appears in outbreaks in Uganda. A traveler's risk is low. However, in case of an outbreak, talk to a doctor about taking antibiotics for plague prevention. Check the CDC and World Health Organization websites for current information on outbreaks and their location.

3. Buy anti-malaria drugs in the U.S. for travel to Uganda. Malaria is transmitted by mosquito bites, and all of Uganda is at-risk for malaria exposure. Anti-malaria drugs effective in the type of malaria in Uganda are atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine; chloroquine is not effective for malaria prevention in Uganda. Start mefloquine one week before or atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline 1 to 2 days before arriving in a malaria risk area. Continue the medications for up to 4 weeks after leaving a malaria risk area.

4. Get boosters for all routine immunizations. These vaccinations include diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), polio, influenza, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) and chickenpox.

5. Obtain all Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended vaccinations, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, polio and typhoid. Begin the immunization process early, at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure. Check regularly with the CDC website for any change in the recommendations and requirements.

6. Visit a doctor for a yellow fever vaccination. Uganda is in the yellow fever endemic zone, as are its neighbors, Kenya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The CDC recommends a yellow fever vaccination for traveling to Uganda. Uganda requires an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) for yellow fever for those entering Uganda from a country where yellow fever is present. Check the itinerary and the CDC site for the yellow fever status of any intermediate destinations. Secure the ICV at least 10 days before arrival in Uganda. The certificate is valid for 10 years.

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 Uganda travel.
• Other medications, even those bought over-the-counter, may be useful when visiting Uganda. Talk to a physician about suggestions for other medications.
• Always tell the doctor about a suppressed immune system or if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. This may alter the immunization procedures. 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.
• Check the Uganda Tourist Board website.