Adoption Travel Health Precautions

Recommended Vaccines: The CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for everyone over nine months old who goes to Ethiopia. You must have proof of vaccination if you are coming from a country where yellow fever is known to be present. Besides the usual adult boosters of routine immunizations (especially polio), hepatitis A and B are recommended because both strains of the disease are highly prevalent in this country. Again, typhoid vaccination is wise as well.

Malaria: All areas below 6,561 feet (2,000 m) are at risk; Addis Ababa is at 8,200 feet (2,500 m). If you will be visiting a malaria risk area in Ethiopia, take one of the following: atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine (primaquine in special circumstances and only after testing). Chloroquine is not an effective antimalarial drug in Ethiopia and should not be taken in this region.

Other Issues: A meningococcal meningitis vaccine is recommended if you plan to visit the western part of the country during December through June.