Afghanistan
Based in Central Asia, Afghanistan is a landlocked country which shares borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Travel Vaccinations for Afghanistan
The table below provides a general guide as to the Travel Vaccinations that may be advised to you for travel to Afghanistan.
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.
| Vaccination | All Travellers | Most Travellers | Some Travellers | Major Risk Factors | Course | Price Per Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMR | Yes | Person-to-Person | Measles, mumps, rubella, Course of Two | £60 | ||
| DTaP | Yes | Person-to-Person | Tetanus, Diptheria, polio, Single Dose | £40 | ||
| Typhoid | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Typhoid, single dose | £50 | ||
| Hepatitis A | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Hepatitis A, Single Dose | £85 | ||
| Cholera | Yes | Contaminated Food and Water | Cholera, for course of 2 | £35 | ||
| Hepatitis B | Yes | Body Fluids, Medical Intervention | Hepatitis B, Course of Three | £85 | ||
| Japanese Encephalitis | Yes | Mosquitoes | Japanese encephalitis, Course of Two | £90 | ||
| Rabies | Yes | Infected Animals | Rabies, Course of Three | £63 |
Advice for Travellers to all Destinations
All Travellers
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
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
Some Travellers may also be advised additional vaccinations such as Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B based on their individual risk assessment.
Travel Advice and Warnings for Afghanistan
Current Travel Advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
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Risk of Malaria in Afghanistan
Malaria is a viral illness spread by Mosquitoes that bite from dusk to dawn throughout the tropical world. It causes high fever and severe joint and muscle pains. In serious cases, malaria can be fatal.
Malaria Prevention
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 Repellent such as DEET 50% and covering exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and trousers.
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Yellow Fever Risk and Certification Requirements for Afghanistan
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.
Additional Travel Health Risks for Afghanistan
[bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-cloud” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Altitude Sickness” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]Afghanistan is a mountainous region and some parts of the country are situated higher than 2500m. As such, altitude sickness may present a problem. You can obtain altitude sickness medication and practice appropriate acclimatisation and gradual ascents to counter altitude sickness. Don’t forget, it’s not just your climbing altitude but your sleeping altitude as well that must be considered.[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-sun-o” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Heat and Humidity” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]Due to its mountains and plains, the climate in Afghanistan can be very warm in the summer and cold in the winter, with some parts even getting a bit of snow. Check the weather for the period you are travelling, as you will need to pack adequately and take reasonable precautions for the climate here.
[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-cutlery” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Food and Drink” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]One thing worth trying are the various types of Afghan bread. With food though, be mindful as sometimes hygiene standards in eateries are lacking. Please remember that this is a Muslim country so drinking alcohol is illegal here. There are some hotels in Kabul that will allow this, but check first so as not to offend.[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-tint” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Drinking Water” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]Tap water in Afghanistan is not considered safe for foreigners to drink so drink bottled water and always check the water that food has been washed in. As an extra precaution, take some water purifying tablets with you or some kind of water purification system.[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-bug” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Insects” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]Lots of different infections can be spread through insect bites and other Creepy Crawlies, including Malaria which is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms can include fever, headache and severe joint, bone and muscular pain.[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-file-text-o” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Travel Insurance” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]Make sure you have health insurance in place that will cover the full range of activities you plan to undertake while in Afghanistan.[/bsf-info-box][bsf-info-box icon_type=”selector” icon=”Defaults-lock” img_width=”48″ icon_size=”32″ icon_color=”#1e73be” icon_style=”circle” icon_color_bg=”#ffffff” icon_color_border=”#333333″ icon_border_size=”1″ icon_border_radius=”500″ icon_border_spacing=”50″ title=”Personal Safety” read_more=”none” read_text=”Read More” hover_effect=”style_2″ pos=”left”]
There is still ongoing fighting in Afghanistan so travel here is ill advised unless truly necessary – even then travel with extreme precaution. Furthermore, it is a dusty place with lots of flies so come prepared. Medical supplies are not great so please pack any medication you think you will need. You will need to be very respectful of the culture here so don’t show off the bottom of your feet and ladies you will need to wear a headscarf and modest clothing.
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