Two questions come up most before a Namibia trip: is there a malaria vaccine, and which vaccines are needed at entry? The short answer: there is no malaria vaccine for travellers yet, and only one vaccine is mandatory — for some travellers only. Details below.
In brief
- Malaria vaccines exist but are used only for children in countries where malaria is common. Travellers don't receive them.
- Travellers are protected by antimalarial tablets (prescribed by a doctor) and mosquito-bite prevention.
- Yellow fever vaccination is needed only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk or spent more than 12 hours in transit there.
- The CDC recommends routine vaccines plus hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid.
Is there a malaria vaccine?
The World Health Organization has recommended two malaria vaccines, RTS,S and R21. Both are for children from five months of age in countries with ongoing malaria transmission and are given in three to four doses. They are not approved for adults or travellers; adult trials are under way.
So for Namibia the proven measures apply: preventive tablets in risk areas and protection from mosquito bites. A doctor decides which tablets to take and when to start.
Where malaria occurs in Namibia: Malaria in Namibia: risk regions. How to avoid bites: Malaria in Namibia: how to protect yourself.
Yellow fever: who needs it
Vaccination is required for travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a country with yellow fever risk or with a transit of more than 12 hours there. Travellers from Europe or the US don't need it. If your route goes through Africa (for example, a connection in Ethiopia or Kenya), check the conditions in advance and carry an international vaccination certificate if required.
Recommended vaccines (CDC)
| Vaccine | For whom |
|---|---|
| Routine (measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, etc.) | Anyone not up to date |
| Hepatitis A | Unvaccinated travellers aged 1+ |
| Hepatitis B | Unvaccinated travellers of all ages |
| Typhoid | Most travellers |
| Rabies | Those in contact with animals, working in remote areas, or doing water sports along the coast (rabies cases have been recorded in Cape fur seals) |
| Cholera | At a doctor's discretion for travel to areas of active transmission (currently Kunene and Otjozondjupa) |
| Polio | Adults: a single lifetime booster if the childhood series is complete |
Get vaccinated 4–6 weeks before travel: some vaccines need time to work and some require several doses.
What to pack
- an international vaccination certificate (if required for yellow fever);
- antimalarial tablets prescribed by a doctor if you're heading north;
- a DEET or picaridin repellent;
- a first-aid kit with fever and stomach remedies;
- travel medical insurance that covers evacuation.
How we plan
We choose route and season with risk areas in mind and tell you in advance what each route requires. Trip details are discussed at the first free consultation.
This material is provided for reference. Vaccination and medication decisions are made by a doctor. Data as of October 2026.
