Required Vaccinations for DRC Congo
Required vaccinations for DRC Congo travel are very important for every traveller in order to be granted access into the country. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second-largest in Africa after Algeria and the most populated country in Central Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country gifted with a lot of natural beauty and magnificent attractions that travellers from far and wide endeavour to take up a Congo safari to have an opportunity to see and explore them. The Congo’s most sought after activities by travellers booking Congo safaris are gorilla trekking and hiking Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park, chimpanzee habituation in Virunga National Park, eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, and visiting Tchegera Island which is often times among the last activities for travellers to be able to relax and unwind after taking part in any of the above mentioned strenuous activities.
For travellers to get in to the Congo to take part in the various tourist activities therefore, required vaccinations for DRC Congo should have been met. The proof of having got the required vaccinations for DRC Congo are asked for at the immigration before one is granted entry into the country. Travellers are therefore advised to make sure to have gotten the required vaccinations for DRC Congo before they get into the country lest they be administered to them at the immigration and being charged a rather high price which could have been low if they had got the vaccines from their original place of stay.
Below are the various health advice and required vaccinations for DRC Congo travellers;
Yellow fever vaccination
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for any traveller to get into the Congo. Travellers are reminded to carry their valid yellow fever vaccination card that they present at immigration along with other documents to be granted access into the country. Yellow fever vaccination should be done for everyone above 9 months old.
Malaria medication
The Democratic Republic of Congo is largely a forested and mountainous area and thus receives a lot of rainfall per year. This causes water to stagnant and thus become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It is these mosquitoes that bite and cause malaria in humans, a major killer disease in Africa. Travellers are therefore encouraged to have a visit to their personal doctors to be advised on which anti-malaria medication they should carry or shots they should take before they travel to Congo. Carrying insect repellent creams is advised, for this will keep away the insects including mosquitoes from biting you.
Ebola
The country has had a number of Ebola outbreaks over the years, and each time it has claimed a number of lives. It is however very well managed that the country is almost on the verge of completely wiping it out. Getting an Ebola vaccination could be advised if intending to visit an area with an outbreak.
Other not necessarily required vaccinations for DRC Congo that you might however deem important to you include Hepatitis A vaccination, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, cholera and Typhoid.
Getting these vaccinations are not for show but rather to protect you from contracting these illnesses that might not be well versed with your bodies like malaria. Travellers shouldn’t feel like they are burdened with a lot of requirements just to get into the country, all is done for your own safety and protection.
Asides from having vaccinations, however, travellers are advised to keep safe. One shouldn’t expose oneself so much to the extent that they might get sick, say having a rusted object cut into you, or stay for long in mosquito-infested areas. Precautions should be taken at all times.
