Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Certificate requirements
Travellers who visit Afghanistan for four weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) given 4 weeks to 12 months before departure from Afghanistan.
There are no yellow fever certificate requirements under International Health Regulations.
Vaccine recommendations
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers.
Schedule: two doses, given 6-12 months apart
Level of protection: ≈95-99%
Duration of protection: 1 year after single dose, or up to 25 years after two doses
When to get vaccine: ideally 2 weeks before travel
Type of vaccine: intramuscular injection
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly infectious virus that can cause inflammation of the liver. Certain travellers are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A, including:
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those who are staying with or visiting the local population
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frequent and/or long-stay travellers to areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor those with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia
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men who have sex with men
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people who inject drugs
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those who may be exposed to the virus through their work
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those going to areas of hepatitis A outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
Symptoms are often mild or absent in young children, but the disease becomes more serious with advancing age. Recovery can vary from weeks to months. Following hepatitis A illness, immunity is lifelong. Symptoms may include: fever, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), malaise and nausea.
How to prevent hepatitis A?
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Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom and when you come in contact with an infected person’s blood, stools, or other bodily fluid.
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Avoid unclean food and water
Vaccine brands available:
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Hepatitis A vaccine: Avaxim, Havrix, VAQTA
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Combined hepatitis A and B vaccine: Twinrix, Ambirix
Polio
Schedule: one dose
Level of protection: ≈95-100%
Duration of protection: 10 years
When to get vaccine: suitable for last-minute travellers
Type of vaccine: intramuscular injection
What is polio?
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a potentially paralysing, vaccine preventable, viral infection. The virus is transmitted through food or water contaminated by infected human faeces or by direct contact with an infectious person.
What are the symptoms of polio?
Most individuals (about 95 percent) who acquire polio do not develop symptoms. When they do occur symptoms may range from a mild illness with fever, to symptoms of meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) or paralysis.
How to prevent polio?
An effective vaccination against polio is available. In addition to vaccination travellers should ensure good personal hygiene and follow advice on prevention of food and water-borne diseases.
Vaccine brands available:
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Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) combined vaccine: Revaxis
Tetanus
Schedule: one dose
Level of protection: ≈95-100%
Duration of protection: 10 years
When to get vaccine: suitable for last-minute travellers
Type of vaccine: intramuscular injection
What is tetanus?
Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium tetani. Tetanus spores are found in soil throughout the world. The disease is acquired when material containing these spores, such as soil, contaminates a wound.
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
Intense, painful contraction and spasm of skeletal muscles. It usually causes lockjaw (trismus) characterised by facial muscles spasm. Other symptoms include: a stiff neck, forceful arching of the back, abnormal breathing and difficulty swallowing. Even with intensive medical support, death occurs in 10 to 20 percent of cases.
How to prevent tetanus?
All travellers should be aware of the risk of accidents, thoroughly clean all wounds and seek appropriate medical attention.
Vaccine brands available:
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Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) combined vaccine: Revaxis
Typhoid
Schedule: injection is one dose, oral vaccine is 3 capsules taken on alternate days
Level of protection: ≈70-80%
Duration of protection: 3 years
When to get vaccine: ideally 2-3 weeks before travel
Type of vaccine: intramuscular injection or oral capsule
What is typhoid?
Typhoid and paratyphoid are infections acquired by the ingestion of food or water contaminated by the bacteria Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Paratyphi. The majority of global cases of disease occur in Asia, but the disease continues to be a concern in other areas including Africa and parts of Central and South America.
What are the symptoms of typhoid?
Symptoms of typhoid and paratyphoid include: fever, headache, muscle or joint pains, constipation or diarrhoea and a rash. Complications include intestinal bleeding and perforation.
How to prevent typhoid?
You can contract it by eating food or drinking water contaminated by faeces. People infected with typhoid fever can infect others through contact with the hands, or from a water tap or door handle for example. The risk for travellers in most countries is very low with the exception of certain parts of the Indian subcontinent. People travelling under primitive circumstances run the greatest risk. It has emerged that the risk is higher for migrant travellers who return to visit their country of origin.
Vaccine brands available:
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Typhoid vaccine: Vivotif (oral capsules), TYPHIM Vi (injection)
Malaria
There is a low risk of malaria below 2,000m from May to November – it is recommended to be aware of the risk and avoid bites.
There is a very low risk of malaria during the rest of the year – it is recommended to be aware of the risk and avoid bites.