Sierra Leone

West Africa · Updated April 2026

See a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before you leave.

Current alert — Global Measles

Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travellers should be fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine.

Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to Sierra Leone, and CDC also recommends hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid for most travellers. Antimalarial medicine is advised, and some travellers may need rabies or mpox vaccines depending on their plans. See a travel health doctor 4-6 weeks before departure.

Malaria risk is present year-round throughout the country, so take preventive medicine and avoid mosquito bites.

Required for entry

Mosquito

Yellow Fever

A serious mosquito-borne virus found in parts of Africa and South America. Proof of vaccination is required for entry to many countries if arriving from a risk area.

One dose at least 10 days before travel. A single dose provides lifelong protection and the International Certificate of Vaccination is valid for life.

Recommended for most travellers

CDC advises these for all visitors to Sierra Leone.

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.

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.

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.

Blood & Body Fluids

Mpox

A viral illness spread through close skin-to-skin contact, often during sex. CDC advises vaccination for travellers anticipating new sexual partners or exposure at large public events in at-risk regions.

Malaria

Not a vaccine

Malaria transmission occurs in all areas of Sierra Leone, predominantly chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum. CDC recommends antimalarial medicine such as atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine.

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.

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 certificateRequired

Take malaria precautions and avoid mosquito and tick bites (dengue, African tick-bite fever). Avoid contaminated freshwater (schistosomiasis, leptospirosis), animals and sick people, as Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever and rabies are present.

Also in West Africa

BeninBurkina FasoCape VerdeCôte d'Ivoire

Source: CDC Travelers' Health — Sierra Leone.

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.