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Marketplaces and rural areas make Ethiopia an amazing place to visit. Travel safely with vaccines and advice from Passport Health.

We’ll help keep you safe at home or abroad. Book your visit online today!

Travel Vaccines and Advice for Ethiopia

Passport Health offers a variety of options for travelers throughout the world.
Nationwide
Travel Health
Services

Yellow fever vaccination, mosquito repellents, netting and other key vaccines can help you stay illness-free.
Yellow Fever
Vaccination
Available

See what vaccinations or medications may be recommended for your specific destination.
Ethiopia
Specific
Advice

Passport Health offers a variety of ways to prevent travelers' diarrhea.
Travelers’
Diarrhea Kits
Available

Said to be one of the oldest nations in the world, Ethiopia has a lot to offer those visiting its borders. The country has stunning landscapes with varying terrain and history going to prehistoric times.

Enjoy rafting on the Omo River, see the enormous crocodiles in Lake Chomo, or hike to historic churches. These gorgeous sites offer unique experiences that you can only get in Ethiopia.

Enjoy the hub of city life in Addis Ababa. Sit in the plaza and sip some coffee while taking in the culture and hospitality of the country.

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Ethiopia. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Ethiopia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for travel to all regions, both foreign and domestic. Check with your local Passport Health clinic if immunization is offered in your area.

See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:

  • COVID-19 –
    Airborne & Direct Contact –
    Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination
  • Hepatitis A –
    Food & Water –
    Recommended for most travelers
  • Hepatitis B –
    Blood & Body Fluids –
    Recommended for travelers to most regions.
  • Typhoid –
    Food & Water –
    Recommended for travelers
    to most regions.
  • Yellow Fever –
    Mosquito –
    Required if traveling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travelers over 9 months of age. Generally not recommended for Afar and Somali provinces.
  • Rabies –
    Saliva of Infected Animals –
    High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals.
  • Meningitis –
    Airborne & Direct Contact –
    Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June)
  • Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
    Various Vectors –
    Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
  • TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
    Wounds & Airborne –
    Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
  • Chickenpox –
    Direct Contact & Airborne –
    Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
  • Shingles –
    Direct Contact –
    Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
  • Pneumonia –
    Airborne –
    Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
  • Influenza –
    Airborne –
    Vaccine components change annually.
  • Polio –
    Food & Water –
    While there is no active polio transmission in Ethiopia, it is vulnerable for outbreaks. Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.

See the tables below for more information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Ethiopia

VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
COVID-19 Airborne & Direct Contact Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals who qualify for vaccination
Hepatitis A Food & Water Recommended for most travelers
Hepatitis B Blood & Body Fluids Recommended for travelers
to most regions.
Typhoid Food & Water Recommended for travelers
to most regions.
Yellow Fever Mosquito Required if traveling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for all travelers over 9 months of age. Generally not recommended for Afar and Somali provinces.
Rabies Saliva of Infected Animals High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals.
Meningitis Airborne & Direct Contact Located in the meningitis belt, vaccination is recommended during the dry season (Dec. – June)
Polio Food & Water While there is no active polio transmission in Ethiopia, it is vulnerable for outbreaks. Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.

Routine Vaccinations for Ethiopia

VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Various Vectors Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) Wounds & Airborne Only one adult booster of pertussis required.
Chickenpox Direct Contact & Airborne Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox.
Shingles Direct Contact Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles.
Pneumonia Airborne Two vaccines given separately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both.
Influenza Airborne Vaccine components change annually.

Sources: CDC, WHO and ISTM

Ethiopia sits in the meningitis belt. This region of Africa is known for it’s meningitis transmission from December through June. Make sure you are vaccinated against all forms of meningitis before your trip.

Ethiopia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from a region where the virus is present. Immunization is generally recommended for travel to Ethiopia, except if travel is limited to Afar and Somali provinces.

Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are in Ethiopia. Make sure you’re protected with antimalarials, repellents and netting. A travel health specialist will help you determine what protection is right for you.

Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.

A visa is required for entry to Ethiopia. Passports must have at least six months’ validity and one blank page for entry/exit stamps.

Ethiopia Entry Requirements

Do I Need A… For My Trip to Ethiopia?
Passport table check mark
Tourist Visa table check mark
Business Visa table check mark
Vaccinations table check mark

Sources: Embassy of Ethiopia and U.S. State Department

Proof of yellow fever and polio vaccination may be required at entry.

Ethiopia’s main climate is tropical monsoon. Weather will vary depending on the region. Here are 3 of the major cities and what you can expect when you travel:

  • Addis Ababa – The capital of Ethiopia is on the foothills of Mount Entoto. With an elevation of around 7,874 feet, you can experience a pleasant climate year round. Expect average temperatures in the 60-70’s. The main wet season is from June to September with higher temperatures.
  • Mekele – This city is located in the Tigrayan Highlands in the north of the country. The warmest it gets is low-80’s and the coolest is low-60’s. Be cautious of traveling during the wet months. Many roads can be inaccessible due to flooding.
  • Adama – Also known as Nazret or Nazareth, this city is a major weekend destination located near Addis. With a similar elevation of Addis Ababa, the climate is about the same.

Most of the major cities in Ethiopia have a similar elevation to Addis Ababa. If you’re traveling to lower regions, the climate can be hotter and drier depending on the time you travel.

Be sure to take this into account when packing your bags.

Ethiopia has had some terrorist attacks over the last few years. Travelers should take extra precautions especially in the Oromia and Amhara regions.

Be cautious of areas with large gatherings. If you think a protest may be forming try to leave the area as a precaution.

Remain alert and cautious if traveling near bordering countries of Ethiopia. There is a high threat of landmines along the western border and tensions are high due to ethnic conflicts.

Ethiopia has a low crime rate compared to other African countries. As with any major city, be wary of pick-pocketing and other theft that are common in Addis Ababa. Many of the crimes are petty but some violent robberies have been known to occur.

Stay alert, take your surroundings into consideration, plan your trips ahead of time, and make sure you have everything you need.

Avoid an Embarrassing Stop

Diarrhea can easily ruin a trip.Over 70% of travelers
will have diarrhea.

Get protected with Passport Health’s
travelers’ diarrhea kit
!

Lalibela is a small town in Ethiopia that is famous for its churches made from rock. These churches are very old, constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. Visitors can explore the churches and see the beautiful carvings and paintings.

Lalibela is also a religious town, and many festivals are held there throughout the year. One of the most popular festivals is called Timkat and takes place in January. Visitors can also go on guided treks to see the surrounding mountains and beautiful landscape.

The town has a rich history, and visitors can learn about it by visiting the local museum. It also has markets where visitors can buy souvenirs and try the local food.

Lalibela offers a unique experience that combines religion, culture and history, making it a great place to visit in Ethiopia.

What you need to take to Ethiopia will depend on when you are traveling. Make sure you bring these items with you:

  • Rain Gear – If you’re visiting during the wet season bring protective gear against the rain. Consider bringing waterproof shoes. They can help so you don’t need to pack extra socks in your day bag.
  • Comfortable Hiking Shoes – A lot of Ethiopia’s wonders involve varying terrain and activities like hiking or climbing. Pack shoes you’ve already broken in and are comfortable wearing for long periods of time.
  • Lightweight Jacket – With varying elevation you may find yourself needing to layer. Higher elevations have a different climate. Be sure to have a decent jacket you don’t mind carrying around for when it gets warmer.

It’s recommended that you enroll in STEP, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, with the U.S. Department of State. It’s a free program that will offer you information from the Embassy on safety conditions, help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, and help your family and friends get in touch with you in the case of an emergency.

U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa
Entoto Street
PO Box 1014
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Telephone: +(251) 11 130-6000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 011 130-6000
Fax: +(251) 11 124-2435 and +(251) 11 124-2419

Note that the Embassy is also closed on both Ethiopian and American Holidays.

The embassy’s services may vary depending on individual needs and circumstances. It’s important for travelers to visit the embassy’s website or contact it directly for more information.

Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!

Customer Reviews

Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Ethiopia

Overall rating: 5 stars – 5 reviews
★★★★★
“Very thorough!“
“I was not expecting to get so educated about health issues concerning my upcoming trip to Ethiopia. I left with confidence having the resource booklet to take with me. The shots didn’t hurt either!”

Submitted by: Rose
★★★★★
“Easy and Efficient“
“Great experience today. Got a good, thorough review of the vaccinations and meds I needed to think about for my travel to Ethiopia. Good guidance and no pressure. Will definitely recommend this service to others.”

Submitted by: Lorry
★★★★★
“Easy“
“Easy and quick, got loaded up for a jaunt to Ethiopia. Wall-sized map is fun to look at while nurse prepares injections.”

Submitted by: Donna
★★★★★
“Great service“
“The service was quick and yet very thorough. Passport Health has done a great job getting me ready for my trip to Ethiopia.”

Submitted by: Lee
★★★★★
“So helpful and streamlined!“
“Passport Health was a phenomenal help in my preparations to go to Ethiopia! Their customized itinerary package let me know exactly what shots were critical for the exact region I was going to. The nurse who helped me was friendly and was able to advise me above and beyond standard medical jargon about certain medicines and travel supplies based on other people’s feedback. I’m so glad I went there rather than trying to sort things out with a regular doctor who doesn’t have the specialized knowledge that Passport Health offers.”

Submitted by: Brittany

On This Page:
What Vaccines Do I Need for Ethiopia?
Do I Need a Visa for Ethiopia?
What Is the Climate Like in Ethiopia?
Is It Safe to Travel to Ethiopia?
Lalibela
What Should I Pack for Ethiopia?
United States Embassy in Ethiopia

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