What Vaccinations Do I need for Kilimanjaro: An Expert Advice

You will need to book an appointment with your local travel clinic, or with your GP, to discuss vaccines a month or two before you go to Tanzania. You will want to do this early, so that if you have any adverse affects you have got them over and done with before you fly.

There are no necessary vaccinations required for Kilimanjaro climbing except for Yellow Fever which is compulsory for each traveller entering Tanzania from any country considered a danger area for Yellow Fever.

You will want to evaluate what regions you will be travelling to before and after your climb.

What Vaccinations Do I need for Kilimanjaro?

The Center for Disease Control advises the following immunisations for travellers visiting Tanzania: It’s your call and that of your healthcare expert to determine which, if any, are best for you:

Your Routine inoculations

It’s recommended that you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), chickenpox, Diptheria, tetanus, polio, and your yearly flu shot.

1. Hepatitis A & B

We recommend discussing hepatitis immunisations with your doctor. You can catch hepatitis A from food and water that is contaminated (including salads, fruit that you don’t peel and shellfish) and ice in your drinks. Hepatitis A can be contracted even while you aren’t travelling to far-off places.

Hepatitis B is most often spread by body fluids and needles. If you work in healthcare, are sexually active or need medical treatment in a remote place, you’ll want to consider it.

2. Typhoid

Typhoid is not uncommon in Africa as it is spread by contaminated food and water Ice in your drinks, street food markets, low cleanliness, raw food or travelling to rural areas.

3. Tetanus

We often neglect our 10 yearly tetanus shot. Tetanus is prevalent in soil and animal faeces and you are at the highest risk of it if you cut yourself. If you are travelling it is worth keeping this inculcation up to date.

4. Rabies

Your risk of exposure to rabies is pretty minimal, especially if you don’t plan on travelling in Tanzania before or after your trek. It is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal (most typically dogs). You and your doctor will decide if you need it based on plans.

5. Cholera

A terrible aquatic disease, spread by inadequate hygiene. CDC advises vaccination for anybody travelling to a region of active cholera transmission. Talk to your doctor.

6. Malaria

When travelling across Tanzania, as with most of Africa, malaria is always a risk. While you are on the mountain you are pretty safe as the mosquitos are not normally found over 6000ft. But you have to think about the fact that you’re going to be Moshi or Arusha before and after your climb and that’s when you’re most at risk.

Malaria is a parasite spread by the bite of the female anopheles mosquito. One bite is enough to infect and the disease is serious and occasionally fatal.

Talk to your doctor about anti-malarial prophylaxis and what is best for you and where you are travelling to. Malarone is a well-known yet costly brand with the least side effects observed. For further information, go to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

A word regarding Larium: This particular anti-malarial has been documented to produce side-effects that mirror the symptoms of altitude sickness.

Taking prophylaxis (anti-malarials) doesn’t mean you won’t get malaria. The only guarantee of avoiding it is to prevent being bitten, by adopting precautions:

• Staying indoors between dusk and dawn (the mosquitoes are most active in the evenings)
• Wearing a strong mosquito repellent, preferably with DEET
• Always use a mosquito net over your bed when you sleep
• Spray your room with insect repellent, and treat clothes and bedding
• Wear long sleeves, trousers, and socks in the evenings
• Avoid densely populated areas, especially at night