Recommended Vaccines for Visiting Kenya

Whether your visit to Kenya is short or long-term, you need to get some essential vaccines to produce immunity against diseases you may encounter.

Vaccination

Vaccination is the act of getting a vaccine, which is a combination of small amounts of weak and dead germs of particular diseases.

Vaccines play a vital role by preparing your body to fight against diseases faster and more effectively so you do not fall sick.

You need to get these shots before going on your trip.

Recommended Travel Vaccines for Kenya include:

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis is a highly contagious liver infection that is caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is transmitted by eating or drinking something exposed to the stool of someone with the virus.

General signs and symptoms of this infection include; jaundice, pain in your tummy, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Malaria

Malaria is quite common in Kenya.

Use of mosquito nets while in Western Kenya and the Coastal areas is a must.

If you plan to visit these areas in Kenya, speak to your doctor about prevention before traveling.

You will get oral medication that you must take before, during, and after your trip to prevent Malaria.

Cholera

Cholera is an infectious disease that causes diarrhea and can lead to dehydration and death.

It is caused by eating food and taking water that is contaminated by the cholera bacteria.

Cholera-causing bacteria is found in food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person.

The most common sources of this infection might be water supplies, food, and drinks sold on the streets or vegetables grown with contaminated or raw fish and vegetables. 

Signs of cholera include diarrhea, rapid heart rate, loss of skin elasticity, low blood pressure, muscle cramps, and stomach ache.

Typhoid

Typhoid is an acute fever caused by bacteria through close contact with food and water.

Symptoms include; high fever, headaches, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea -in worst cases, diarrhea can cause dehydration.

This disease is treatable through IV fluids, antibiotics, and oral hydration therapy.

Meningitis

Meningitis causes the inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord, which triggers symptoms like headaches, fever, and a stiff neck. Meningitis is treatable, but it depends on the stage it is at because fatalities have been reported in the worst cases.

Getting this vaccine is not a must, but it will not harm.

Covid -19

All travelers above the age of 12 years arriving into the country through any point of entry will be required to show proof of either COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test conducted not more than 72 hours before departure. 

For more information see:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya#vaccines-and-medicines

Vaccination, before you embark on your journey, is critical. Most of the areas you will be visiting might pose a risk to your health.

Speak to your doctor before you travel.