Travel Vaccinations for developing countriesReal-world advice for Backpackers / Independent Travellers - 2016
Recommended Jabs: A guide to the Travel Injections backpackers need to consider
There is a standard 'set' of travel injections that apply for developing countries in general, e.g. the vaccinations required for most of Africa are pretty much the same as those needed for South America. There may be the odd country-specific difference (your doctor or travel clinic will give you specific advice based on your itinerary) but this table shows the main illnesses that backpackers to developing countries should cater for; see the Notes section at the bottom of the page for more.
A Cholera vaccine is available which provides protection from some (not all) strains of the disease for 2 years.
As of late 2012, Polio has been eradicated in all but 3 countries worldwide, they are: Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
There is no vaccine for Malaria, however medication (tablets) provide a good level of protection. A map showing the regions where malaria is endemic is on the Malaria page.
There is no vaccine for Dengue at present, there are 4 sub-types of the disease which has held-up development of a vaccine. To protect yourself against Dengue avoid mosquito bites.
The Tuberculosis (TB) vaccination, known by the acronym 'BCG', was given to school children in western countries for many years, although with TB in decline in the developed world, the BCG vaccination has been phased out in many areas, including the UK. If you've had your BCG either at school or later (you may still have a visible scar on your shoulder) you're covered for TB, you don't need a booster.
There are various sub-types of Meningitis (A, B, C, W135, Y, Z, 29E) however travellers headed to Sub-Saharan Africa should be
immunised with the MenACWY vaccine (i.e. for sub-types A, C, W135 and Y).
This page was last updated on 03-Feb-2016