Guinea in West Africa shares its neighbourhood with Guinea-Bissau, the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
Keep up-to-date with the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before travelling to Guinea.
The table below provides a general guide as to the Travel Vaccinations that may be advised to you for travel to Guinea
| Vaccination | All Travellers | Most Travellers | Some Travellers | Major Risk Factors | Course | Price Per Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMR | Yes | Person-to-Person | Measles, mump, rubella, course of Two | £50 | ||
| DTaP | Yes | Person-to-Person | Tetanus, diphtheria, polio,s Dose | £40 | ||
| Typhoid | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Typhoid, Single Dose | £50 | ||
| Hepatitis A | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Hepatitis A, Single Dose | £60 | ||
| Meningitis | Yes | Person-to-Person | Meningitis ACWY (Nimenrix), Single Dose | £65 | ||
| Cholera | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Cholera, Course of Two | £35 | ||
| Hepatitis B | Yes | Body Fluids, Medical Intervention | Hepatitis B, Course of Three | £55 | ||
| Yellow Fever | Yes | Mosquitoes | Yellow Fever, single Dose | £70 | ||
| Rabies | Yes | Infected Animals | Rabies, Course of Three | £65 |
The Vaccinations and Medications that are needed for travel vary from person-to-person. Everyone should have a personal risk assessment with a travel health professional to take into account a range of factors such as itinerary, medical condition, occupational and lifestyle risk factors and previous vaccination history.
All Travellers should ensure that they are up-to-date with Routine Vaccinations including Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Measles, Mumps and Rubella.
Most travellers will also need to consider a course or booster of Hepatitis A and Typhoid as there is a risk of these diseases across most parts of the world.
Some Travellers may also be advised additional vaccinations such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B based on their individual risk assessment.
Malaria is spread by the plasmodium parasite passed to humans from the bite of an anopheles mosquito. Malaria is a serious illness with symptoms include fever, chills, sweats and flu like symptoms. In severe cases, malaria can be fatal. There isn’t currently a vaccine available for our travellers, although there are other ways to protect yourself.
Travellers to areas where there is a Risk of Malaria should get advice regarding Malaria Medication which can be taken to help stop the illness from developing. The type of medication required depends on your destination, itinerary, length of stay and current medical condition. Further reduce the risk of by practicing mosquito Bite Avoidance by using Insect Repellant such as DEET 50% and covering exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and trousers.
Yellow Fever is a serious viral illness spread by mosquitoes in the tropical regions of Africa and South America. For further information, please see Yellow Fever Vaccination.
Under International Health Regulations (2005), travellers who have been to an Area affected by Yellow Fever, or who have travelled via an airport of a country affected, are required to present an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICVP).
Guinea
Guinea, not to be confused with Guinea-Bissau or Equatorial Guinea is in West Africa and was a former French Colony before gaining its independence in 1958. Despite the fact that it amazingly rich mineral deposits, including gold, Guinea is actually a very poor country. Please check advice from your Foreign office before travelling to Guinea as some fighting from nearby Sierra Leone is spilling over into Guinea, which might make some parts unsafe for tourists.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is caused by mosquito bites from specific mosquitos most active during daylight. There is no medical protection against dengue fever. What you can do however is avoid mosquito bites and use mosquito repellent if travelling to affected areas of Guinea, especially urban areas. Your travel nurse should be able to advise you.
Heat and Humidity
Guinea’s weather is tropical –so warm with high humidity. There is also a rainy season to contend with it. Please check the weather for the time and areas you are travelling to so that you can adequately prepare,
Water Safe
Stick to the bottled stuff here as tap water is not safe. Bottled water is readily available and reasonably priced.
Food and Drink
Fruit here is very good and you will be able to easily find western food – although local food with Guinea beef is generally very good. Please remember to be careful of fruit and vegetables that may have been washed in contaminated water as well as tea and coffee that could be made with tap water, which is unsafe. Always check and err on the side of caution.
Animals and Insects
Lots of different infections can be spread through animal bites, including Rabies, Malaria and Dengue Fever. Please make sure you have had your shots and taken other advised precautions before travelling.
Health Insurance
Make sure you have health insurance in place that will cover the full range of activities you plan to undertake while in Guinea.
Personal Safety
Please check with your foreign office before embarking on your trip to Guinea as permits and travel guides may be needed. Some parts of the country are no longer safe for tourists.
