What Vaccines Are Required To Travel To Egypt?

For most people, no vaccines are required to travel to Egypt. However, for people traveling to Egypt from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, proof of immunization is required.

What Vaccines Are Required To Travel To Egypt

While the Egyptian government has not made any vaccines mandatory for travellers arriving from most countries, some vaccines are recommended.

In this post we will be looking at some routine vaccines which people should consider getting prior to visiting Egypt.

Covid-19 Vaccination

Are Covid-19 vaccines required to travel to Egypt? Not exactly. At the time of writing (June 2022), the entry rules regarding Covid-19 were as follows:

Vaccinated Tourists

Tourists who have had both their Covid vaccines and their first booster dose were allowed into the country without any need of a Covid-19 PCR test or a rapid antigen test. However, your most recent Covid-19 vaccine must have been received more than 14 days prior to traveling to Egypt.

Unvaccinated Tourists

Unvaccinated tourists were welcome in Egypt, but they have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test or rapid antigen test. The test must also have been done no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Egypt. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from this rule.

NOTE: Unlike in some countries, proof of recovery from Covid-19 is not accepted in Egypt. Additionally, proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test must be in the form of an official certificate issued by an accredited laboratory, and it must include a scannable QR code.

At the time of writing, the following Covid-19 vaccines were accepted/recognized by the Egyptian government:

  • Pfizer
  • Moderna
  • AstraZeneca
  • Sinopharm
  • Sinovac
  • Sputnik V
  • Janssen (Johnson and Johnson)

Yellow Fever Immunization

If you are from a country where yellow fever is prevalent, or even if you have recently visited such a country, you will need to show proof of yellow fever immunization on arrival in Egypt. Routine vaccination has successfully managed to eradicate yellow fever in most countries, but yellow fever transmission is still prevalent in some South American countries and in several African countries.

Like malaria, yellow fever is spread by mosquitoes. There is no cure, but most healthy people make a fully recovery. Egypt has eradicated yellow fever and will not allow any person from an at risk country to enter without proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Hepatitis – What Vaccines are Required to Travel to Egypt

Hepatitis A immunization is recommended for all visitors, while Hepatitis B immunization is only recommended for those travelers who may be exposed to used/shared needles and travellers who are likely to have sexual intercourse while they are in Egypt.

Hepatitis A is extremely contagious and is usually spread by way of contaminated food or water. This is one of the reasons why we always advise tourists to never drink tap water. Instead, they should only drink bottled water.

Fortunately, the vast majority of people who get Hepatitis A recover fully within a matter of days. People who have had Hepatitis A or had a vaccine, have lifelong protection. Once you have had it you can’t get it again.

Hepatitis B is spread by bodily fluids, including blood, saliva and semen. Mothers can also pass it on to their babies at birth. Most people who get Hepatitis B make a full and quick recovery. Hepatitis B vaccines provide full protection against the disease.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines are not required for travel to Egypt, but they are recommended.

Typhoid Immunization

Typhoid fever is caused by a type of bacteria rather than a virus. The disease is usually contracted by drinking contaminated water or eating foods that have been washed with contaminated water. You can also get typhoid from using a toilet that has been contaminated.

Injectable typhoid vaccines provide protection for two years whereas oral doses provide protection for 5 years. Unlike with hepatitis A and B, you won’t recover from typhoid without treatment. If you fail to get treatment, the disease will get progressively worse and if left untreated, it can be fatal. For this reason, we recommend up to date typhoid immunization.

Rabies in Egypt

Rabid dogs and other rabid animals are routinely found in Egypt. Rabies vaccines are 100% effective at preventing rabies transmission. Anyone who gets bitten or scratched by a rabid animals should seek medical attention immediately. It is vital to receive treatment before any symptoms occur. Once symptoms occur, the disease is almost always fatal.

For this reason, the US Centers for Disease Control recommends rabies immunization for all people travelling to Egypt, and especially for young children who are more at risk of being bitten or scratched. Anyone planning to visit parts of the country where there is an increased risk of exposure due to potential animal bites should also consider getting vaccinated.

Polio Immunization

Although you don’t need polio vaccines for travel to Egypt, it is something you should discuss with your healthcare provider before you travel. Polio immunization is available as an injectable vaccine and as an oral vaccine. Polio vaccination for all children is recommended by the World Health Organization and is mandatory in many if not most developed countries. If you have not had your adult booster, it is something which you should discuss with your primary healthcare provider.

Booster Shots for Routine Vaccines

People who are planning to travel to Egypt should also consider getting booster shots for the following routine vaccines:

  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TDP)
  • Chickenpox
  • Shingles
  • Pneumonia
  • Influenza
  • Meningitis

If you need additional information about what vaccines are required for travel to Egypt, simply send us an email or call us via our toll free number.

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Last Updated on March 25, 2024