What vaccines do I need for Afghanistan?

CDC recommends routine vaccines plus hepatitis A, typhoid and a polio booster for most travellers. Depending on your plans, hepatitis B, rabies, cholera and COVID-19 may also be advised.

Is yellow fever required for Afghanistan?

No. Yellow fever vaccination is neither required for entry to Afghanistan nor recommended by CDC.

How long before travel to Afghanistan should I get vaccines?

Book a travel health appointment 4–6 weeks before departure. Some vaccines need multiple doses or a minimum interval before travel, so earlier is better.

Vaccines for Afghanistan — Required & Recommended

When are you departing?

For most travellers to Afghanistan, CDC recommends being up to date on routine vaccines plus hepatitis A and typhoid, and adults who completed the childhood polio series should get a one-time polio booster. Depending on your itinerary and activities, hepatitis B, rabies, cholera and COVID-19 may also be advised. Afghanistan has malaria risk, so antimalarial medication may be needed for some areas. See a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

Malaria risk in areas below 2,500 m elevation runs from April to December.

Required for entry

No vaccines are currently required for entry to Afghanistan from most countries.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Afghanistan.

Food & Water

Hepatitis A

A contagious liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. Most travellers to regions with less reliable sanitation should get this vaccine.

Two doses at 0 and 6–12 months. Over 90% of people develop protective antibodies within a month of the first dose, so one dose is usually enough for the trip itself. No booster needed after the full series.

Food & Water

Typhoid

A bacterial infection spread through food and water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. Risk is higher in rural areas and when eating with locals.

The injected vaccine is a single dose at least 2 weeks before travel and lasts 2 years. The oral version is four capsules taken every other day, completed at least a week before travel, and lasts 5 years. Neither is 100% effective — safe food and water habits still matter.

Recommended for some travellers

Depends on your itinerary, activities, duration, or health.

Food & Water

Cholera

A bacterial infection spread through contaminated water, causing severe diarrhoea. Rare in travellers but worth considering for aid workers or travel to areas with active outbreaks.

Blood & Body Fluids

Hepatitis B

A liver infection spread through blood, sexual contact, and contaminated medical or cosmetic equipment. Recommended for most travellers, especially those with longer stays or possible medical exposure.

Animal Contact

Rabies

A fatal viral disease spread through the bite or scratch of an infected animal — most often dogs, bats, or monkeys. Pre-travel vaccination simplifies treatment after exposure.

Malaria

Not a vaccine

Malaria (mainly P. vivax) is present in all areas below 2,500 m elevation from April to December; CDC recommends antimalarial medication for travellers to those areas.

Discuss prescription chemoprophylaxis with a travel doctor if your itinerary includes risk areas.

Food & water safety

High risk

Tap water and ice are generally unsafe. Stick to sealed bottled water, boiled water, or water from a reliable filtration system. Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruit, raw shellfish, and street food from vendors with poor hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly before eating.

Cholera vaccine may be recommended for some travellers — discuss with your travel doctor if you plan to work in high-risk areas or during outbreaks.

Routine vaccines to be up to date on

CDC advises every international traveller to have these current.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Two doses at least 28 days apart, ideally completed at least 2 weeks before travel. Adults born before 1957 or with documented immunity are already considered protected.

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis

A single Tdap or Td booster, effective within days. Adults should have a booster every 10 years — or after 5 years if you've had a dirty wound or burn. Pregnant travellers should receive Tdap during every pregnancy.

Polio

A single lifetime adult IPV booster for travellers to at-risk countries. For some destinations, the booster must be received 4 weeks to 12 months before departure and documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination.

Flu (Influenza)

An annual dose at least 2 weeks before travel to areas with active flu circulation. A single current-season vaccine covers travel to either hemisphere.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Two doses at least 28 days apart for adolescents and adults without immunity. Children get doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years. Two documented doses protect most people for life.

Shingles

Two doses of Shingrix 2–6 months apart. Protection stays high for at least 7 years. Adults 19+ with weakened immune systems can use a faster schedule (2nd dose 1–2 months after).

COVID-19

Follow the current CDC schedule for your age and risk group. If you had COVID-19 recently, you may delay vaccination for up to 3 months from the onset of infection.

Entry requirements

For US citizens. Non-US travellers should check their government's guidance.

Yellow fever certificateNot required

Practise food and water safety, prevent insect bites, and avoid contact with dogs and other animals as rabies is common and post-exposure treatment may be unavailable. Cholera transmission is active in parts of the country.

Also in South Asia

India Sri Lanka Nepal Bangladesh

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Afghanistan.

Disclaimer:This information is for general guidance only, based on CDC Travelers' Health. It does not replace advice from a qualified travel health professional. Consult a doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip.