Madagascar Vaccines 2026: What Do Japanese Travellers Need?

Quick answer: Japanese travellers flying to Madagascar without arriving from, or transiting for more than 12 hours through, a country with yellow fever transmission risk do not generally need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Madagascar requires proof for travellers aged 9 months or older who arrive from a yellow-fever-risk country, including qualifying airport transits.

For health protection, the CDC recommends malaria prevention for most of Madagascar outside Antananarivo and recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, particularly those visiting smaller cities or rural areas. Measles protection is also important for international travellers who are not fully vaccinated. This guide covers Japanese citizens and travellers departing from Japan; your complete routing, medical history and activities can change the advice.

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

Quick answer: required versus recommended vaccines

Vaccine or health measure	Madagascar entry requirement	Travel-health guidance
Yellow fever	Required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, or after a qualifying transit of more than 12 hours through such a country.	Not generally recommended for travel to Madagascar itself because the country has no reported yellow fever risk in the cited travel-health guidance.
Typhoid	Not identified in the cited sources as a general entry requirement.	Recommended for most travellers, especially people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas.
Measles, mumps and rubella	No Madagascar-specific entry requirement is identified in the supplied research.	Ensure measles vaccination is complete before international travel; the CDC says travellers who are not fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure can be at risk when measles is spreading internationally.
Routine vaccines	No additional Madagascar-specific requirement is identified in the supplied research.	Ask a clinician to review your routine vaccination record and any boosters appropriate to your age, health and itinerary.
Malaria prevention	Not a vaccination or border-document requirement.	Prescription chemoprophylaxis is recommended by the CDC for all areas except Antananarivo; no chemoprophylaxis is recommended for Antananarivo in the cited guidance.

There is no evidence in the supplied research of a general COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirement for entry to Madagascar in 2026. Because border measures can change, confirm any current health declaration, testing or airline documentation requirement before departure.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Japanese travellers

Yellow fever is an entry-condition issue based on your route, not simply your nationality. The CDC states that Madagascar requires vaccination proof for travellers aged 9 months or older travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission. The rule also covers airport transits or layovers of more than 12 hours in a risk country.

For a straightforward journey from Japan with no qualifying stop in a yellow-fever-risk country, the cited country guidance does not indicate that a certificate is required. An itinerary through a risk country can change the result, even when you do not intend to leave the airport. The Australian government similarly says proof is needed when arriving from a country where yellow fever is widespread.

Check every airport on the booking, including separate tickets and overnight connections. The CDC advises healthcare professionals to consider the full itinerary because travellers may need to pass through immigration during a long layover or airport transfer.

If a certificate is required, carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), sometimes called the yellow card. The CDC says a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations, and that a booster requirement was eliminated in 2016. If vaccination is medically unsuitable, the CDC notes that travellers may comply with an entry requirement by presenting an ICVP showing a medical waiver, where accepted.

Do not obtain yellow fever vaccination solely because Madagascar is in Africa without first checking the route and speaking with a qualified clinician. The CDC says vaccination is generally not recommended where the potential for yellow fever exposure is low, although individual exposure risks and entry requirements must be considered.

Recommended vaccinations and planning time

Typhoid

The CDC lists typhoid vaccination as recommended for most travellers to Madagascar, with particular relevance for visits involving smaller cities, rural areas, or stays with friends and relatives. Discuss vaccination with a travel clinic in Japan, especially if your safari includes remote lodges, village visits or frequent eating outside established hotels.

Measles and routine protection

Review your Japanese immunisation record before travelling. The CDC reports that international travellers who have not had measles or completed vaccination at least two weeks before departure can be at risk when measles is spreading. Ask your clinician whether your measles, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio and influenza protection is current for your circumstances; the supplied country guidance does not establish a single additional routine-vaccine schedule for every adult traveller.

Begin the review early enough for a clinician to assess your itinerary and medical history. Do not assume that a vaccine recommended for one traveller is suitable for everyone, particularly if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, travelling with a young child or managing a chronic condition.

For comparison, SafariFind also covers Madagascar vaccination requirements for Indian travellers; the yellow fever rule still depends on the route and transit history of each traveller.

Malaria in Madagascar: risk areas, medication and prevention

The CDC recommends malaria chemoprophylaxis in all areas of Madagascar except the city of Antananarivo. For areas outside Antananarivo, the listed options are atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine. For Antananarivo, the cited CDC guidance recommends no chemoprophylaxis and advises insect-bite precautions and mosquito avoidance instead.

This distinction matters for safari planning. A trip that includes Antananarivo and then continues to coastal, rural or other parts of the island may require a different medical plan from a short city-only visit. Share your complete route, accommodation style, planned activities and departure date with a doctor or travel clinic; do not choose an antimalarial medicine without professional advice.

Prescription choice can depend on health conditions, medicines already being taken, pregnancy status, allergies and the length of the trip. The CDC identifies the medicines above as recommended options but does not make one option correct for every traveller.

Use layered mosquito protection throughout the trip:

• Use an effective insect repellent according to its label and your clinician’s advice.
• Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, particularly around dawn, dusk and at night.
• Use accommodation screens, nets or air-conditioning where available, and follow the lodge’s mosquito-control advice.
• Continue any prescribed malaria medicine exactly as directed, including the post-travel doses specified by the prescriber.

These measures are practical precautions, not a substitute for medical assessment. Fever during or after travel should be treated as a reason to seek medical advice promptly and to explain that you have visited Madagascar.

Health documents and travel insurance

Keep these documents accessible during the journey:

• Your passport and copies of its identification page.
• Your ICVP if your route triggers Madagascar’s yellow fever rule.
• A written list of prescription medicines, generic names, doses and allergies.
• Relevant medical letters or prescriptions for controlled or specialised medicines.
• Travel-insurance policy details and the insurer’s assistance contact.

Travel insurance with medical treatment and evacuation cover is a sensible part of planning for a remote safari. The supplied research does not specify a Madagascar insurance requirement or a minimum cover amount, so confirm the policy terms rather than relying on a generic figure. Check whether the policy covers remote-area transport, pre-existing conditions, adventure activities and cancellation caused by illness.

Entry rules can change at short notice. The Australian government advises travellers to contact the Madagascar consulate or nearest embassy for the latest details, and its travel advice specifically warns that entry and exit conditions can change.

Separate health planning from immigration planning. Japanese citizens should review the Madagascar visa guidance for Japanese citizens in 2026 as well as vaccination requirements. The visa process is not a vaccination rule.

Medication rules and what to pack

The supplied research does not provide a definitive Madagascar list of prohibited medicines, controlled-drug limits or import paperwork. Do not assume that a medicine permitted in Japan can automatically be imported without conditions. Before departure, ask the Madagascar embassy or consulate and your prescribing clinician about any medicine that is controlled, injectable, sedating or supplied in large quantities.

Pack enough prescribed medicine for the planned trip and a reasonable delay, but confirm the legally permitted quantity before doing so. Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging and carry the prescription or a clinician’s letter where appropriate. These are prudent preparation steps; they do not replace confirmation of Madagascar’s current import rules.

A practical personal kit may include prescription medicines, basic first-aid supplies, insect repellent, sun protection, oral rehydration products and any items your clinician recommends. Do not take antibiotics or antimalarials “just in case” without medical instructions. If you compare safari packages on SafariFind, check the itinerary for remote areas so your clinician can tailor the kit and malaria plan to the actual route.

Health facilities and emergencies in Madagascar

Plan how you will obtain medical help before leaving Japan. Ask each lodge, camp, guide or local operator how guests request assistance, which town or facility is normally used, and how transport is arranged from remote areas. The supplied research does not establish a nationwide emergency number or guarantee a particular standard of care, so confirm local contacts for every region on your itinerary.

Save your insurer’s assistance number offline and give a trusted travel companion copies of your medication list and emergency contacts. If you have a serious condition, carry a concise medical summary and discuss whether you need additional arrangements before departure.

Seek prompt medical attention for fever, severe diarrhoea, breathing difficulty, dehydration, an animal bite or any rapidly worsening illness. After a possible animal bite or scratch, wash the wound and seek professional advice urgently; ask a travel-health clinician before departure whether rabies vaccination is appropriate for your activities and access to care.

Food and water choices also form part of health planning. Use the hygiene precautions recommended by your clinician, particularly in rural areas, and take extra care if you are immunocompromised or have a condition that increases the consequences of dehydration.

For broader trip planning, SafariFind’s guide to a 10-day Madagascar safari and beach holiday can help you identify how many regions—and therefore how many different health-planning considerations—your itinerary includes.

Bottom line: A direct Japan-to-Madagascar itinerary normally does not trigger the yellow fever certificate rule in the cited guidance. The main health preparation is route-specific malaria planning, typhoid discussion, measles and routine-vaccine review, mosquito protection, and checking medicine and insurance arrangements before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Japanese citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Madagascar?

Not usually when travelling directly from Japan without a qualifying transit through a yellow-fever-risk country. Madagascar requires proof for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a risk country or transiting for more than 12 hours through one.

Does a transit through Africa trigger Madagascar’s yellow fever certificate rule?

It can, if the transit is through a country with yellow fever transmission risk and lasts more than 12 hours. Check every airport on the itinerary because the CDC says qualifying airport transits and layovers are included.

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes. The CDC says a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations.

Is malaria a risk in Madagascar?

Yes, malaria prevention is recommended for all areas in the CDC guidance except Antananarivo. The CDC lists atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine as recommended chemoprophylaxis options for areas outside Antananarivo.

Do I need malaria tablets for Antananarivo?

The cited CDC guidance recommends no chemoprophylaxis for Antananarivo and advises insect-bite precautions and mosquito avoidance. A trip that continues outside the city may require a different plan, so discuss the complete route with a clinician.

Should Japanese travellers get a typhoid vaccine for Madagascar?

The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, especially those visiting smaller cities or rural areas or staying with friends and relatives. A travel-health professional can assess whether it is appropriate for your itinerary.

Do I need a measles vaccine before travelling to Madagascar?

You should ensure that your measles protection is complete before international travel. The CDC says travellers who are not fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure can be at risk when measles is spreading internationally.

Do Japanese citizens need a visa for Madagascar?

Yes, the Australian government’s Madagascar travel advice says tourists need a visa, which can be completed on arrival at the airport for visits up to 60 days. Confirm the current process and fee with the official Madagascar portal or consular authority before travelling.

What health documents should I carry to Madagascar?

Carry your yellow fever ICVP if your route triggers the certificate requirement, along with prescriptions, a medicine list, relevant medical letters and travel-insurance details. The ICVP requirement applies to specified routes and travellers aged 9 months or older.

Are vaccines legally required for direct travel from Japan to Madagascar?

The supplied guidance does not identify a general vaccine requirement for a direct Japan-to-Madagascar journey. Yellow fever proof becomes required when the traveller arrives from, or has a qualifying transit through, a yellow-fever-risk country.