Vaccinations for Nigeria — 2026 Guide
Nigeria requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for all arriving travellers. Additionally, several vaccines are strongly recommended due to endemic diseases. Plan your vaccinations 6–8 weeks before travel as some require multiple doses.
Mandatory: You MUST have a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP/“Yellow Card”) for Yellow Fever to enter Nigeria. Immigration officers check this at the airport. Without it, you may be vaccinated on arrival or denied entry.
Required Vaccinations
Yellow Fever — MANDATORY
| Requirement | Mandatory for ALL travellers aged 9 months+ |
| Certificate validity | Lifetime (since 2016 WHO amendment; previously 10 years) |
| When to get it | At least 10 days before arrival (takes 10 days to become effective) |
| Cost (UK) | £60–£85 at registered travel clinics (not available on NHS) |
| Cost (US) | $150–$350 at approved vaccination centres |
| Doses | Single dose, lifetime protection |
| Side effects | Mild: headache, muscle ache for 5–10 days. Serious reactions very rare. |
Exemptions: Infants under 9 months, pregnant women (risk-benefit assessment), severely immunocompromised individuals, and those with egg allergy may be exempt. You need a medical waiver letter from your doctor.
Recommended Vaccinations
| Vaccine | Who Needs It | Doses | Advance Time | UK Cost (NHS/Private) | US Cost | Protection Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | All travellers | 2 (0 + 6–12 months) | 2+ weeks | Free on NHS / £50 private | $50–$100 | 25+ years (with booster) |
| Hepatitis B | All travellers (especially long stays, medical workers) | 3 (0, 1, 6 months) or rapid 3-week schedule | 6 months (standard) or 3 weeks (rapid) | Free for at-risk groups / £50 per dose private | $50–$100 per dose | Lifetime (check antibodies after 5 years) |
| Typhoid | All travellers | 1 injection or 3 oral capsules | 2+ weeks | Free on NHS / £30 private | $40–$80 | 3 years (injection) / 5 years (oral) |
| Meningitis ACWY | Essential — especially northern Nigeria (meningitis belt) | 1 dose | 2+ weeks | £40–£65 private | $100–$200 | 5 years |
| Rabies | Adventure travellers, rural areas, children, animal workers | 3 doses (0, 7, 21–28 days) | 4 weeks | £50–£65 per dose private | $200–$400 per dose | Varies — post-exposure treatment still needed but fewer doses |
| Cholera | Aid workers, areas with outbreaks | 2 oral doses (1–6 weeks apart) | 2+ weeks | £55–£70 private | $100–$150 | 2 years |
| Polio (booster) | All travellers (if last dose >10 years ago) | 1 booster | Any time | Free on NHS | $40–$80 | 10+ years |
| Routine boosters (MMR, Tetanus/Diphtheria) |
All travellers — ensure up to date | Check records | Any time | Free on NHS | Varies | Varies |
Meningitis warning for Nigeria: Northern Nigeria lies in the “meningitis belt”. Outbreaks of bacterial meningitis occur regularly, especially during the dry/harmattan season (December–June). The ACWY vaccine is strongly recommended for all Nigeria travellers, and essential if visiting the north.
COVID-19 Requirements (2026)
As of early 2026, Nigeria has no COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for incoming travellers. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) lifted all COVID-related travel restrictions. However:
- Check the NCDC website before travel for the latest updates
- Being up to date with COVID-19 boosters is generally recommended for international travel
- Some airlines may still have their own policies — check with your carrier
Where to Get Vaccinated
United Kingdom
- NHS Travel Vaccination Service: Free for Hep A, Typhoid, Polio booster, and Tetanus/Diphtheria. Book through your GP.
- Private Travel Clinics: For Yellow Fever, Meningitis, Rabies, and Hep B. Examples: MASTA, CityDoc, Nomad Travel Clinics, Superdrug Health Clinics.
- Yellow Fever can ONLY be given at registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres (NaTHNaC accredited).
United States
- CDC-approved Yellow Fever centres: Search at CDC Yellow Fever Clinic Finder
- Travel medicine clinics: Passport Health, CVS MinuteClinic Travel Health, local health departments
- Insurance coverage varies — check your plan for travel vaccine coverage
Timeline
Start 6–8 weeks before travel. Some vaccines need multiple doses (Hep B: 3 doses over 6 months, or rapid schedule over 3 weeks). Yellow Fever must be given at least 10 days before arrival. Rabies pre-exposure needs 3 doses over 21–28 days.
Children & Pregnancy
Children
- Yellow Fever: From age 9 months (some clinics recommend waiting until 12 months if possible)
- Ensure routine childhood immunisations (MMR, DTP, Polio) are up to date before travel
- Hepatitis A from 1 year; Typhoid from 2 years (injection) or 5 years (oral)
- Rabies pre-exposure can be given to children of any age
- Meningitis ACWY from 2 months depending on brand
Pregnant Women
- Yellow Fever vaccine is a live vaccine and generally not recommended during pregnancy. If travel to Nigeria is essential, discuss risk-benefit with your doctor.
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid (injectable) are considered safe in pregnancy
- Avoid live vaccines: Yellow Fever, MMR, oral Typhoid, oral Polio
- Consider postponing travel to Nigeria if unvaccinated and pregnant
Certificate & Immigration Requirements
- Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) — the “Yellow Card” — at all times
- Nigeria Port Health officers at Murtala Muhammed (Lagos), Nnamdi Azikiwe (Abuja), and other airports routinely check vaccination certificates
- Keep a photocopy or photo of your certificate separate from the original
- The certificate must show: full name, date of birth, vaccine batch number, clinic stamp, and date administered
- If you lose your certificate, your vaccinating clinic can issue a replacement
Related Pages
Vaccination Timeline
- 8 weeks: Yellow Fever, Hep B (start), Rabies (start)
- 6 weeks: Meningitis ACWY
- 4 weeks: Hep A, Typhoid
- 2 weeks: Polio booster, Routine vaccines
- 10 days: Yellow Fever certificate valid