What vaccines do I need for Albania?

CDC recommends routine vaccines plus hepatitis A, hepatitis B and MMR for most travellers, with rabies advised for some depending on activities.

Is yellow fever required for Albania?

Only conditionally. Yellow fever vaccination is required if you arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, but not for direct travel from a non-risk country.

How long before travel to Albania 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 Albania — Required & Recommended

When are you departing?

For most travellers to Albania, CDC recommends being up to date on routine vaccines plus hepatitis A, hepatitis B and MMR. Rabies vaccination is suggested only for those whose activities increase the risk of animal exposure. Yellow fever vaccination is not needed for direct travel from most countries but is required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. See a travel health clinic 4–6 weeks before departure.

No malaria risk in Albania.

Required for entry

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

Exception: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination — Required only for travellers arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Albania.

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.

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.

The full series is three doses over 6 months. An accelerated 4-dose schedule (0, 7, 21 days, 12 months) is available when combined with Hepatitis A. Partial protection starts after the first dose.

Recommended for some travellers

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

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.

Food & water safety

Moderate risk

Exercise food and water precautions, particularly in rural areas and budget accommodation. Bottled or treated water is advisable. Avoid raw shellfish and salads washed in tap water. Choose cooked food served hot.

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 certificateOnly if arriving from a YF-risk country

Practise routine food, water and insect-bite precautions. Measles cases are rising globally, so ensure you are fully vaccinated with MMR before travelling.

Also in Southern Europe

Andorra Azores Bosnia and Herzegovina Canary Islands

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Albania.

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.