Commonly recommended vaccines
These are general recommendations. Your pharmacist will advise based on your specific itinerary and medical history.
For full guidance including malaria risk areas and health alerts, visit TravelHealthPro.
Health risks in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a complex destination from a travel health perspective. A Yellow Fever certificate is required for travellers arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission risk, and vaccination is recommended for most visitors as there is transmission risk in parts of the country. Malaria is high risk throughout Ethiopia below 2,000m — roughly the majority of the country outside Addis Ababa and highland areas. Hepatitis A and Typhoid protection is essential. Popular destinations including the Omo Valley and low-lying areas near the Ethiopian Rift Valley all carry malaria risk. Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Gillingham, Kent is a registered YFVC — we issue the ICVP Yellow Card and provide all Ethiopia travel vaccinations with same-day appointments, no GP referral needed.
- Malaria: high risk throughout Ethiopia below 2,000m — no risk in Addis Ababa or highlands above 2,000m
- Food and waterborne illness: Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccination recommended for all travellers
- Insect and tick-borne diseases: risk of African tick bite fever, Rift Valley fever, leishmaniasis and other vector-borne diseases in lower-altitude areas
- Tuberculosis: Ethiopia has high TB incidence — relevant for long-stay travellers and healthcare workers
- Rabies: present in domestic animals; pre-exposure vaccination considered for longer stays or animal-contact activities
Do I need malaria tablets for Ethiopia?
High malaria risk throughout Ethiopia below 2,000m — this includes the Omo Valley, the Ethiopian lowlands, Rift Valley lakes region and most border areas. No risk in Addis Ababa or areas above 2,000m, but bite avoidance is still advised in those areas.
Malaria risk varies significantly by region within Ethiopia. A pharmacist assessment is essential before travel.
Typically recommended: Atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine recommended for travel to areas below 2,000m. Medway Pharmacy can prescribe and dispense your tablets in a single same-day appointment — from £2.50 per tablet, no GP referral required.
Yellow Fever vaccine — Ethiopia
A Yellow Fever certificate is required for travellers entering Ethiopia from countries with yellow fever transmission risk. Vaccination is also recommended for most travellers aged 9 months and over as yellow fever transmission risk exists in parts of the country. Medway Pharmacy in Gillingham is a registered YFVC and issues the ICVP Yellow Card on the same day.
Medway Pharmacy is a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (YFVC). We issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP / Yellow Card) on site. Learn more about Yellow Fever certificates →
Our pharmacists at Medway Pharmacy, 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5LJ provide personalised travel health advice for Ethiopia and all destinations. We serve Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Rainham, and the wider Kent area. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am–10pm — same-day appointments available, no GP referral needed.
Frequently asked questions about travel to Ethiopia
Where can I get a yellow fever certificate for Ethiopia in Kent?
Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic in Gillingham, Kent is a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (YFVC). We can vaccinate you and issue the official ICVP Yellow Card — required for entry into Ethiopia from yellow fever transmission countries — on the same day. No GP referral needed. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am to 10pm.
How much do travel vaccinations for Ethiopia cost?
At Medway Pharmacy in Gillingham, Yellow Fever is £70 (including the ICVP certificate), Hepatitis A from £55 and Typhoid from £55. Malaria tablets start at £2.50 per tablet. We are open until 10pm, seven days a week — no GP waiting times.
Do I need malaria tablets for Ethiopia and can I get them same day?
It depends on your itinerary. Malaria is high risk throughout Ethiopia below 2,000m. If you are visiting Addis Ababa only (which sits above 2,000m), tablets may not be required — but most travellers also visit lower-altitude sites where they are strongly recommended. Medway Pharmacy can assess your specific itinerary and prescribe and dispense your tablets on the same day with no GP referral.
How quickly can I get all my Ethiopia travel vaccinations?
Medway Pharmacy Travel Clinic is open approximately 100 hours per week — 7:30am to 10pm, seven days a week. You can receive your Yellow Fever vaccination with ICVP Yellow Card, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and malaria tablets all in a single same-day visit, even if you are travelling at short notice.
Do I need malaria tablets for a business trip to Addis Ababa only?
Addis Ababa sits above 2,000m and is classified as no-malaria-risk. Antimalarial tablets are generally not recommended for travel confined to the capital. However, if your trip involves any travel outside Addis Ababa to lower-altitude areas, malaria tablets become strongly recommended. Our pharmacists at Medway Pharmacy will advise based on your exact itinerary.
What other vaccinations should I consider for Ethiopia?
Alongside Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and Typhoid, consider Hepatitis B, Rabies (for longer stays, rural areas or wildlife activities), and ensuring routine vaccinations such as MMR and tetanus are current. For travellers going to the Rift Valley or border regions, our pharmacists will provide a full risk-based assessment at Medway Pharmacy.
Ready to get protected?
Book a travel health appointment at Medway Pharmacy. Same-day slots available, open until 10pm.
Book appointment