Travel Vaccinations for South Africa

Malaria

Malaria risk in South Africa is confined to the north-east of the country.

Higher risk areas include Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces bordering Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe, including Kruger National Park and surrounding game reserves. Risk is highest between September and May in low-altitude regions.

Risk is low in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal and selected parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and very low between June and August in Kruger. The rest of South Africa, including Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Western Cape, is considered malaria-free.

Travellers to high-risk areas may require:

• Prescription antimalarial medication
  
• Mosquito bite avoidance measures

Antimalarial tablets are prescription-only medicines and are not prescribed on site. Where appropriate, we will refer you to an Independent Prescriber for assessment.

Rabies

Rabies is present in South Africa in wildlife and domestic animals. Cases of rabies in Cape fur seals along the Western Cape coastline have also been reported in recent years.

Any bite or exposure from mammals, including seals, requires urgent medical assessment.

If exposed:

• Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and clean water for 15 minutes
  
• Apply antiseptic if available
  
• Attend hospital or A&E immediately

Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) is hospital-only treatment and is not available in UK community pharmacies.

Other Health Risks

• Road traffic accidents are a leading cause of serious injury for UK travellers in South Africa. Seatbelts should be worn at all times and night driving should be avoided where possible.
• Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is present in freshwater lakes, rivers and dams, including parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Travellers should avoid swimming, paddling or wading in freshwater.
• Tuberculosis incidence is higher than in the UK, and appropriate precautions should be taken by healthcare workers or prolonged close-contact travellers.
• Urban areas such as Johannesburg may carry risks of opportunistic crime, including theft and carjacking. Travellers should follow up-to-date FCDO travel advice.
• Altitude may be relevant for trekking in the Drakensberg and Mafadi region. Sun exposure, dehydration and tick-bite fever during safari travel are commonly underestimated risks.

When to Book

We recommend booking your South Africa travel vaccination appointment four to six weeks before departure. If yellow fever vaccination is required due to transit or onward travel, it must be administered at least 10 days before arrival for the certificate to be valid.

What We Can Supply

Vaccines provided during consultation are subject to current Patient Group Direction (PGD) coverage and stock availability at the time of your appointment.

During your visit we can:

• Assess your itinerary and travel health risks
  
• Provide personalised vaccination advice
  
• Administer appropriate travel vaccines
  
• Support malaria prevention planning
  
• Refer to an Independent Prescriber where required
  

Antimalarials and altitude medication are prescription-only medicines and are not prescribed on site. Where appropriate, we will refer you to an Independent Prescriber, NHS GP or private prescriber.

Our pharmacist-led travel clinic supports travellers from Rochdale, Manchester and across Greater Manchester with expert South Africa travel vaccinations, malaria prevention advice and personalised travel health consultations.

Our clinic offers free on-site parking, refreshments during your visit and convenient access from across Greater Manchester.