Do Swiss Travellers Need Vaccines for Burundi in 2026?

Quick answer: Swiss citizens entering Burundi must carry an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) showing yellow fever vaccination if they are aged 9 months or older. CDC country-entry guidance says the vaccine is required for all arriving travellers in this age group, while Canadian government guidance states that proof is required for travellers arriving from all countries.

For personal protection, review routine vaccinations and discuss hepatitis A, typhoid and malaria prevention before departure. The right recommendations depend on your age, medical history, itinerary, accommodation and planned activities.

Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

This guide is for Swiss citizens and other travellers departing from Switzerland. It is informational content, not legal or medical advice. Entry and health rules can change, and a travel-health professional should assess individual medical circumstances.

Burundi vaccination requirements at a glance

Vaccine or precaution	Entry requirement or health advice	What Swiss travellers should do
Yellow fever	Required for arriving travellers aged 9 months or older.	Obtain the ICVP and keep it with your passport and travel documents.
Routine vaccinations	Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccinations.	Ask a Swiss doctor or travel clinic to review your vaccination record.
Hepatitis A	Recommended for unvaccinated travellers going to Burundi.	Discuss vaccination even for a short trip, particularly where food and water exposure may be unpredictable.
Typhoid	Recommended for many travellers, especially those visiting rural areas, smaller cities or friends and relatives.	Discuss it if your itinerary includes local food, rural stays or longer visits.
Malaria	Malaria occurs widely in Burundi, and antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers.	Arrange an individual prescription and use mosquito-bite precautions.
Cholera	Vaccination may be considered for travellers going to areas with active cholera transmission.	Ask a clinician whether your destination and activities justify vaccination.

A vaccine that is recommended for health protection is not automatically an immigration requirement. For example, the available research identifies hepatitis A, typhoid and malaria prevention as health recommendations, while yellow fever is the clearly documented Burundi entry requirement.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Swiss travellers

Burundi requires yellow fever vaccination proof from all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older according to CDC country-entry information. The Government of Canada also lists proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers from all countries. This means Swiss citizens should plan to present the certificate when travelling from Switzerland, rather than assuming that the rule applies only to passengers arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country.

The document used internationally is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called the yellow card. The U.S. Department of State says visa applicants should have a World Health Organization card showing yellow fever vaccination, and advises travellers to be up to date with vaccinations.

Under the International Health Regulations, a completed certificate is considered valid for the life of the vaccinated person; the CDC says the previous booster requirement was eliminated in 2016. NaTHNaC likewise states that a valid certificate cannot be rejected solely because more than ten years have passed since the vaccination became effective.

Carry the original certificate in your hand luggage with your passport. Do not rely only on a photograph or a digital copy unless Burundi’s authorities or your airline explicitly confirm that this is accepted. The available official guidance refers to presenting the vaccination certificate, so confirm document-format requirements before departure.

What if you transit through another country?

Your complete itinerary matters. CDC guidance says travellers must comply with a country’s yellow fever proof requirements and that transfers through airports should be considered, particularly when a long layover requires passing immigration or leaving the transit zone.

A transit country may ask for yellow fever proof based on where your journey has been, how long you transit and whether you leave the airport transit area. The research does not provide a single transit-duration rule that can safely be applied to every route. Check the official health requirements for every transit country and ask the airline before flying.

If you are planning a multi-country trip, read the relevant Burundi visa guide for Swiss citizens as well as the health rules for each country on your route. Visa documents and vaccination certificates are separate requirements.

Recommended vaccinations and when to arrange them

Book a travel-health consultation before your safari or other Burundi trip. Canadian government guidance recommends consulting a health professional or travel-health clinic six weeks before travel, while noting that advice remains worthwhile at any time before departure.

Routine vaccinations

Start with routine protection. The U.S. Department of State advises travellers to be up to date with vaccinations, and the CDC destination guidance includes routine vaccination review as part of travel preparation. Ask the clinician to check the vaccines relevant to your age and health history, including routine protection against illnesses that may spread during international travel.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers to Burundi. The CDC specifically recommends it for unvaccinated travellers aged 1 year or older, and advises that infants aged 6 to 11 months travelling to Burundi should also receive a dose; that infant dose does not count towards the routine two-dose series.

If a traveller is allergic to a vaccine component, the CDC says a single dose of immune globulin may be used, with protection lasting up to two months depending on the dosage. For unvaccinated travellers over 40, immunocompromised travellers or those with chronic medical conditions departing for a risk area in less than two weeks, the CDC describes giving the initial vaccine dose and immune globulin at the same appointment. These decisions require a clinician’s assessment.

Typhoid

Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers, particularly people staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or spending time in rural areas. Food and water hygiene remain important even after vaccination.

Other selective vaccines

A clinician may discuss additional vaccines according to your itinerary and personal risk. The research identifies rabies and hepatitis B among vaccines that may be considered for selected Burundi travellers, but it does not establish one universal schedule for every Swiss visitor. Activities involving animals, healthcare work, longer stays or close contact with local communities can change the assessment.

Cholera vaccination may be considered for travellers aged 1 year or older going to Burundi, according to CDC destination guidance. The CDC also notes that vaccination may be considered for children and adults travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. Confirm the current local situation and your individual need with a travel-health professional.

Malaria in Burundi: risk areas, medication and prevention

Malaria is a travel-health concern in Burundi. Canadian government guidance says malaria is a risk and recommends antimalarial medication for most travellers; Australian government advice says malaria occurs widely and at all times.

There is no one malaria prescription suitable for everyone. A clinician will consider your itinerary, duration, pregnancy status, age, other medicines, allergies and medical conditions before choosing an option. The CDC malaria guidance also highlights the need to consider individual factors when selecting prevention.

Take mosquito precautions throughout the trip:

• Use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Cover exposed skin with clothing, particularly during times and in places where mosquitoes are active.
• Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net if your room cannot be adequately screened or sealed.
• Use screened accommodation or well-sealed doors and windows where available.
• Follow the prescribed antimalarial schedule exactly and seek medical advice promptly if you develop a fever during or after travel.

Yellow fever, malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases are different infections. A yellow fever certificate does not replace malaria prevention. If your plans include a wildlife trip, compare Burundi wildlife safari itineraries alongside the health advice for rural and outdoor activities.

Health documents and travel insurance

Keep these documents accessible rather than in checked baggage:

• Your passport and the original yellow fever ICVP.
• Your travel-health record and prescriptions.
• A list of medicines, including generic names and doses.
• Travel insurance details and emergency contact numbers.

The research specifically supports carrying the yellow fever certificate for entry. It does not provide a current Burundi government fee, processing time or Swiss-specific health-document checklist, so confirm any additional document requirements with the airline, Burundi authorities or the relevant diplomatic mission before travel.

Travel insurance should cover medical treatment and emergency evacuation. Travel Doctor Network reports that hospitals and private practitioners in Burundi may require payment upfront, even where a traveller has insurance, and that evacuation to South Africa or Nairobi may be needed for some medical emergencies. Confirm the scope of cover with your insurer, including exclusions for existing conditions and safari or adventure activities.

For broader planning, read the current Burundi safety and travel tips before booking transport and accommodation. Health preparation should be considered alongside security, access and communications planning.

Medication rules and what to pack

Pack enough essential prescription medicine for the entire trip and keep it in its original packaging. Travel Doctor Network warns that medicines may be in short supply or unavailable in Burundi, and recommends carrying an adequate supply of essential medication.

Aardy’s Burundi traveller guidance advises people carrying prescription medicines to check with Burundi’s government that the medicines are legal, and to carry the doctor’s prescription. The research does not provide a definitive list of prohibited medicines or a current permit process, so contact the relevant Burundi authority or diplomatic mission before departure if you use controlled, injectable or unusually large quantities of medication.

A practical health kit may include prescribed medicines, a copy of prescriptions, insect repellent, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, oral rehydration supplies and basic wound-care items. These packing suggestions are precautions rather than Burundi entry requirements. Ask your clinician which products are appropriate for you, especially if you have allergies, diabetes, pregnancy or other conditions.

Use safe food and water practices: wash your hands regularly, choose food and water carefully, and follow local medical advice. Canadian guidance recommends safe food and water precautions and frequent handwashing for travellers to Burundi.

Health facilities and emergencies in Burundi

Medical access can be limited, and the research indicates that medicines may not always be available. Hospitals and private practitioners may ask for payment before treatment, so keep insurer contact details and access to emergency funds.

Before departure, ask your insurer how to obtain authorisation for treatment and evacuation. Save the policy’s emergency number offline, tell a trusted travel companion where it is stored, and share your medical information with your safari operator when appropriate.

If you develop a fever during Burundi travel or after returning to Switzerland, tell the healthcare professional that you have been in a malaria-risk country. Do not self-diagnose: malaria can require urgent medical assessment, and the research identifies it as a risk throughout Burundi.

Once your health plan is clear, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind by looking at itinerary, accommodation, transport and included support—not only the headline price. Different routes may involve different amounts of time in rural or remote areas, which is relevant to your travel-health discussion.

Verification reminder: Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Swiss citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Burundi?

Yes. Burundi requires yellow fever vaccination proof for all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older, including Swiss citizens travelling from Switzerland. Carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis with your passport.

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes. The CDC says a completed yellow fever certificate is valid for the life of the vaccinated person, following the removal of the booster requirement under the International Health Regulations.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate if I only transit through another country?

You may need one depending on your route and whether you leave the airport transit area. CDC guidance says to consider transfers, long layovers and any requirement to pass through immigration, so check every transit country’s official rules and ask your airline.

Which vaccines are recommended for a trip to Burundi?

Hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended, while routine vaccinations should be up to date. The CDC recommends typhoid especially for travellers visiting rural areas, smaller cities or friends and relatives.

How early should I arrange Burundi travel vaccinations?

Arrange a travel-health consultation around six weeks before departure where possible. Canadian government guidance gives that planning timeframe but says a consultation is still worthwhile at any time before travel.

Is malaria a risk in Burundi?

Yes. Malaria occurs widely in Burundi, and antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers. Discuss the right medicine for your itinerary and use repellent, protective clothing, screened accommodation and bed nets where needed.

Is there a malaria vaccine for travellers to Burundi?

The research supplied for this guide does not identify a malaria vaccine for travellers to Burundi. Prevention advice focuses on prescribed antimalarial medication and avoiding mosquito bites.

Do I need hepatitis A vaccination for Burundi?

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers to Burundi. The CDC also says infants aged 6 to 11 months should receive a travel dose, which does not count toward the routine two-dose series.

Should I get a typhoid vaccine for a Burundi safari?

Discuss typhoid vaccination with a travel-health professional, particularly if your safari includes rural areas, smaller cities, local food or stays with friends and relatives. Food and water precautions are still necessary.

What medical documents should I carry to Burundi?

Carry the original yellow fever certificate, your prescription information and travel-insurance emergency details. The yellow fever certificate is the health document specifically identified as an entry requirement in the available guidance.

Can I find all prescription medicines in Burundi?

Not necessarily. Travel-health guidance warns that medicines may be in short supply or unavailable, so pack an adequate supply of essential medication and keep it in original packaging with your prescription.