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Kenya

East Africa · Africa· Physician brief

Malaria

Moderate

Dengue

Moderate

Yellow fever

Recommended

Chikungunya

High

Vaccines

VaccineRecommendationReference
Routine vaccines

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip — per the Swiss BAG schedule. These include:

BAG Impfplan
Hepatitis A

Recommended for travel to most low- and middle-income countries.

CDC Yellow Book
Hepatitis B

Consider per individual risk and stay duration.

CDC Yellow Book
Meningococcal

Consider for long-term stays or travel to dry-season areas of northern Kenya.

CDC Yellow Book
Rabies

For long stays, rural travel, occupational animal contact, or activities like cycling and hiking.

CDC Yellow Book
Typhoid

Recommended for travelers eating outside major hotels or staying with local hosts.

CDC Yellow Book
Yellow fever

Recommended for most itineraries. Generally NOT recommended if travel is limited to Nairobi city, the coast (Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu), or the northeast (Wajir, Mandera).

CDC Yellow Book

Disease-specific guidance

Malaria

Moderate

High risk year-round in all areas below 2500m, including coastal regions and most safari destinations (Tsavo, Amboseli, Masai Mara). Chemoprophylaxis is recommended together with strict mosquito-bite protection.

High risk
All areas below 2500m
Low / no risk
Nairobi city centre, highlands above 2500m
Species
P. falciparum (predominant)
Season
Year-round

Yellow fever

Recommended

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most travelers visiting Kenya. The vaccine is generally NOT recommended if your itinerary is limited to Nairobi city, the coastal regions (Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu), or the northeast (Wajir, Mandera). A vaccination certificate is required at entry for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with yellow fever risk.

Dengue

Moderate

Dengue circulates particularly along the coast (Mombasa region) with periodic outbreaks. Daytime mosquito-bite prevention is the main protection. Vaccination is not routinely recommended for travelers without prior dengue infection.

General prevention

Food & water

Use bottled or treated water and eat thoroughly cooked food. Resort areas and lodges generally have safer food but precautions still apply elsewhere.

Mosquito protection

Aggressive mosquito-bite prevention is essential below 2500m. Chemoprophylaxis recommended for safari and coastal travel. Nairobi city centre and the highlands above 2500m are malaria-free.

Sources

Based on CDC Travelers’ Health, CDC Yellow Book, and the Swiss Federal Vaccination Schedule (BAG). Always verify current recommendations before travel.

Visiting more than one country?

Build a combined itinerary and get merged recommendations across all destinations.

Plan an itinerary

This brief is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.
Consult a travel medicine specialist 4–8 weeks before departure.