As well as being prepared for your trip be obtaining either your Nigeria visa, it is also it is also recommended that before your trip to Nigeria, that you obtain all the necessary vaccinations and inoculations.
Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre , and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.
Basic, limited medical facilities are available in some parts of Nigeria. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Nigeria and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC ) and NHS Scotland’s Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Below are guidelines of the required vaccinations, but we request that you contact either your local GP or NHS travel clinic prior to your trip for the latest information.
Nigeria Healthy Travel:
Hepatitis A
Recommended for all travelers
Typhoid
Recommended for all travelers
Polio
One-time booster recommended for any adult traveler who completed the childhood series but never had polio vaccine as an adult
Yellow fever
Required for all travelers arriving from or transiting through a yellow-fever-infected area in Africa or the Americas. Not recommended otherwise.
Hepatitis B
For travelers who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially if visiting for more than 6 months
Rabies
For travelers who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
Two doses recommended for all travellers born after 1956, if not previously given
Tetanus-diphtheria
Revaccination recommended every 10 years
Malaria
Malaria is very common in Nigeria and prophylaxis is recommended in all areas of the country. Travellers should also protect themselves from insect bites. It is estimated that 25% of all malaria cases in the world happen in Nigeria. It is therefore essential for all travellers to take appropriate precautions.
The Nigerian Ministry of Health reported on 21 February 2012 Lassa fever outbreaks causing over 40 deaths. The states affected were Lagos, Edo, Nassawara, Plateau, Taraba, Orido, Rivers, Gombe, Anambra and Delta. See this update from the National Travel Health Network and Centre.
Water-Borne Disease
Water-borne disease poses a greater risk during the rainy season; there have been reports of cholera. It is recommended that travel health information services are consulted before travel. Nigeria is also one of last countries in the world with wild circulating polio virus. This can be prevented through immunisation prior to arrival. Most ill health can be prevented by following good hygiene practices and following advice of health professionals.
It is estimated that 3.1 million Nigerians are living with HIV; the prevalence rate is estimated at around 3.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.
For more information, visit Safe Travel to Nigeria.
