Do Children Need Shots to Visit South Africa?

Located at the tip of the African continent, South Africa is developing its tourism industry. As of June 2013, no immunizations, with the limited exception of yellow fever vaccine, are required to enter the country. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise visitors to make sure they are safeguarded against specific diseases to prevent a possible travel nightmare. Some proposals are for all travelers, while others depend upon personal characteristics and travel plans. Your family should check with your doctors at least a month before travel to discuss vaccination coverage.

  1. Entire Family

    • Before traveling to South Africa, the CDC recommends that all family members be current with the four basic vaccinations: measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-pertussis- tetanus, chicken pox and the flu. These recommendations vary depending upon age. For example, the flu shot is only for those aged 6 months or older. Also, doctors administer the MMR vaccination in two doses when children are between 1 and 6 years of age. Your doctors can tell you if your family members have received the correct number of immunizations for these specific diseases.

    Most Family Members

    • According to the CDC, travelers to South Africa may risk contracting hepatitis A because of the possibility of consuming contaminated food or water. Your chances are not lower if you are staying in a highly-developed urban center. Also, typhoid is a danger, especially in rural areas and villages. The CDC suggests hepatitis A and typhoid immunizations for everyone unless you are specifically precluded. For instance, some doctors do not give pregnant women the hepatitis A shot, and children under 2 years of age cannot receive typhoid immunization.

    Certain Family Members

    • The CDC suggests that some travelers receive immunizations against hepatitis B, malaria and rabies. Hepatitis B is passed through contaminated blood, so this disease is most commonly contracted through sex, tattoo and piercing processes as well as health care, such as operations. To avoid malaria, your family can follow a regime of prescription medication, but this is an extended process you must strictly adhere to. Rabies from a bite is a potential problem for people working with or traveling near animals. Children are also at high risk because of their natural inclination to play with animals. Depending upon your travel plans, expected behavior and age of your family members, your doctor may recommend one or more of these vaccinations.

    Yellow Fever

    • Though yellow fever is not a threat to citizens of and travelers to South Africa, the South African government is protecting its population by requiring people who live in or travel through São Tomé and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia and Eritrea to obtain yellow fever vaccinations. If you have no contact with these areas, immunization against yellow fever is not necessary for entrance into South Africa.

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