What Vaccinations Does Burundi Require for French Travellers in 2026?

Quick answer: Burundi requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older, including French citizens travelling from France. The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), commonly called the yellow card, is the document used to prove vaccination.

For personal protection, travellers should review routine vaccinations and discuss hepatitis A, typhoid and malaria prevention with a qualified travel-health professional. The right advice depends on your age, health, itinerary, accommodation and planned activities.

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

This article is general travel information, not medical or legal advice. Vaccination, medication and entry rules can change, and a clinician must assess your individual circumstances.

Burundi vaccination requirements for French travellers: at a glance

Vaccine or health measure	Required to enter Burundi?	What French travellers should know
Yellow fever	Yes	Proof is required for all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older. Carry the ICVP with your travel documents.
Routine vaccinations	No Burundi-specific requirement identified in the supplied guidance	Check that routine immunisations are up to date, including measles protection.
Hepatitis A	No	Vaccination is recommended for travellers to places where hepatitis A is present.
Typhoid	No	Recommended for many travellers, particularly those visiting smaller cities or rural areas, staying with friends or relatives, or travelling where food and water hygiene may be poor.
Malaria prevention	No vaccine or medicine is identified as an entry requirement	Malaria is a risk, and antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers. Discuss options with a clinician.

These rules apply to the destination, not just to the traveller's nationality. Canada's official destination guidance states that Burundi requires yellow fever vaccination proof from travellers from all countries. If you are arranging a safari, you can also compare Burundi safari lodges for first-time visitors and check whether your route includes neighbouring countries with additional requirements.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Burundi

Yellow fever is both a health risk in Burundi and an entry-document issue. The CDC states that vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months or older and that the vaccine is required for all arriving travellers in that age group. Canada's government guidance likewise says that proof is required for travellers from all countries.

What document should you carry?

Carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, or ICVP, showing the yellow fever vaccination. The certificate should be kept with your passport and other travel documents, rather than packed in checked luggage. The CDC says that a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person; since 2016, an international yellow fever booster requirement has been eliminated under the International Health Regulations.

The certificate must correspond to the traveller who presents it. If a medical condition means that yellow fever vaccination may be unsafe, ask a travel-medicine clinician whether a medical waiver is appropriate. The CDC notes that travellers must comply with entry requirements by presenting an ICVP showing vaccination or a medical waiver, where accepted by the destination.

What about airport transit?

Your complete itinerary matters. The CDC advises healthcare professionals to consider transfers through airports where a traveller might pass an immigration checkpoint, stay during a long layover or otherwise enter the country rather than remain airside. Such routing can affect which yellow fever documents are requested.

The supplied Burundi guidance establishes a certificate requirement for all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older, while commercial travel-health guidance also refers to transit through countries with yellow fever transmission risk. Because transit rules and airline checks can vary by route, confirm every connection with the official Burundi authority, the airline and an authorised yellow fever vaccination centre before departure.

France is not treated as an exemption in the supplied Burundi entry guidance: the Canadian government source says proof is required from travellers from all countries. Do not assume that travelling directly from France removes the certificate requirement.

Recommended vaccinations for a Burundi trip

There is no single vaccine list that is suitable for every French traveller. A travel-health appointment allows a clinician to check your French vaccination record, medical history, pregnancy status, age, previous travel and the areas you will visit.

Routine vaccines

Review routine vaccinations before travelling. The CDC advises travellers to Burundi to be up to date with routine immunisations, and UK travel guidance specifically includes checking the latest vaccine recommendations before departure. Measles protection is particularly important because measles is listed as a relevant travel-health concern in Canada's Burundi guidance.

Take your vaccination record to the appointment. If you do not know which vaccines you have received, ask a healthcare professional to review the available evidence rather than assuming that protection is complete.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present. Canada also advises safe food and water practices and frequent handwashing. This recommendation can apply even when your trip is a short hotel or lodge stay, because exposure can occur through contaminated food or water.

Typhoid

The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers to Burundi, especially people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. UK travel-health guidance also identifies typhoid vaccination as recommended for many travellers, particularly those visiting friends and relatives, young children, frequent or long-stay travellers, and people travelling where sanitation and food hygiene may be poor.

Typhoid vaccination does not replace food and water precautions. Drink water from a safe source, take care with ice and uncooked food, wash your hands frequently and follow advice from your clinician about what to do if diarrhoea develops.

Other vaccines and individual recommendations

The supplied research does not establish a universal Burundi entry requirement for rabies, hepatitis B, cholera, influenza, COVID-19 or other vaccines. A clinician may discuss some of these according to animal contact, healthcare access, season, work, length of stay or personal health history. CDC guidance says cholera vaccination may be considered for children and adults travelling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Do not treat a recommendation as an entry requirement. Ask the clinic to separate vaccines required by Burundi from vaccines recommended for your protection.

When should you arrange vaccinations?

Start planning at least eight weeks before departure. UK travel guidance specifically advises checking vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before a Burundi trip, while Canada recommends consulting a health professional or travel clinic six weeks before travel for malaria planning.

Earlier planning gives a clinician time to review routine immunisations, arrange yellow fever vaccination and certificate issuance, discuss malaria medication and account for any medical conditions. If you are leaving sooner, seek advice anyway; Canada states that it remains worthwhile to consult a professional at any time before departure.

Do not rely on a last-minute pharmacy visit for a complex itinerary. Some vaccines may require clinical assessment, and yellow fever vaccination is delivered through authorised centres. Confirm the current procedure with a registered provider in France.

Malaria in Burundi: medication and bite prevention

Malaria is a risk for travellers to Burundi. Canada's official destination advice says antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers and advises discussing options with a healthcare professional or travel-health clinic.

The most suitable medicine depends on your health, other medicines, pregnancy status, destination within Burundi, trip length and possible resistance considerations. Do not choose or begin a prescription solely from an online list. A clinician should explain when to start and stop the medicine and what side effects require medical attention.

Reduce mosquito bites

Use several protective measures throughout the trip:

• Cover exposed skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Use screened accommodation or keep doors and windows closed and well sealed where possible.
• Sleep under an insecticide-treated bed net if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from the room.
• Consider permethrin-treated clothing where appropriate and follow the product instructions.

Mosquito precautions remain important even if you take antimalarial medication. Seek medical attention promptly if you develop a fever during or after travel and explain that you have visited a malaria-risk country.

For route planning, read the current Burundi safari safety and route guidance as well as the latest official travel-health advice.

Health documents, insurance and travel planning

Carry the original yellow fever certificate or ICVP, passport, prescriptions and relevant medical information. Keep secure copies separately and retain digital copies where they can be accessed without relying on mobile coverage.

Travel insurance should cover medical treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. UK guidance says travellers should check that their destination can provide the healthcare they may need and have appropriate insurance for local treatment or medical evacuation, particularly when travelling with a health condition or during pregnancy.

Check your policy's exclusions before booking activities, travelling to remote areas or undertaking safari activities. The insurance requirement itself is separate from Burundi's yellow fever certificate rule. For visa documentation, see the dedicated guide on Burundi visa requirements for French citizens; vaccination paperwork does not replace a visa where one is required.

Medication rules and what to pack

Take enough prescribed medicine for the trip, keep it in its original packaging and carry the prescription or a doctor's letter. The supplied research does not establish a Burundi-specific list of permitted medicines, quantity limits or controlled-drug procedures. Confirm the current rules with the relevant Burundian authority and your airline before travelling, especially for controlled medicines or large quantities.

A practical health kit can include personal prescriptions, the ICVP, insect repellent, sun protection, hand-cleaning supplies and basic first-aid items. Any medicine for diarrhoea, pain or rehydration should be selected with advice from a pharmacist or clinician, particularly if you have a chronic condition or take regular medication.

Food and water hygiene remains important. Wash your hands often and take care with food and drinking water; these measures are specifically advised in Canada's Burundi health guidance.

Health facilities and emergencies in Burundi

Before travelling, assess whether the places on your itinerary can provide the healthcare you may need. This matters especially for remote safari routes, pre-existing conditions, pregnancy and activities far from Bujumbura. UK guidance recommends arranging suitable insurance for local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.

For an ambulance in Burundi, UK government guidance says to call 112. It also lists 109 for assistance from the Red Cross. If you are referred to a medical facility, contact your insurer promptly.

Discuss your itinerary with your safari operator before departure, including transfer times, remote camps and the process for obtaining medical help. Travellers comparing verified Burundi safari operators should also check how each operator handles emergencies, evacuation support and communication in remote areas.

Final checklist for French travellers

• Confirm that every traveller aged 9 months or older has yellow fever vaccination proof and an ICVP.
• Check the full itinerary, including airport connections and any neighbouring-country visits.
• Book a travel-health appointment at least eight weeks before departure where possible.
• Review routine vaccines, measles protection, hepatitis A and typhoid with a clinician.
• Discuss malaria medication and use mosquito-bite protection throughout the trip.
• Arrange insurance that includes treatment and medical evacuation.
• Carry prescriptions in original packaging and confirm any medicine restrictions before departure.
• Save the Burundi emergency numbers 112 and 109.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do French 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 travellers arriving from France. Carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes, the CDC states that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is valid for the life of the vaccinated person. Since 2016, an International Health Regulations booster requirement has been eliminated.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate if I only transit through an airport?

It depends on the complete routing and whether the transit involves passing immigration, staying during a long layover or otherwise entering a country. Review every connection with the airline and official authorities before departure.

What vaccinations are recommended for a Burundi trip?

Review routine vaccines and discuss hepatitis A and typhoid with a travel-health professional. Typhoid is recommended for many travellers, particularly those visiting rural areas or smaller cities or staying with friends and relatives.

How far in advance should I get vaccinated for Burundi?

Start planning at least eight weeks before departure where possible. Canada recommends discussing malaria prevention six weeks before travel, but says advice is still worthwhile at any time before leaving.

Is malaria a risk in Burundi?

Yes. Malaria is a risk to travellers in Burundi, and Canada recommends antimalarial medication for most travellers. Use mosquito-bite precautions and ask a clinician which medicine suits your health and itinerary.

Do I need malaria tablets for Burundi?

Antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers, but the medicine and schedule must be selected by a healthcare professional. The decision depends on your health, itinerary, trip length and other medicines.

What health insurance do I need for Burundi?

Arrange insurance that covers local medical treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. UK government guidance particularly highlights this need for travellers with health conditions, pregnant travellers and people visiting destinations where healthcare access may be limited.

What are the emergency numbers in Burundi?

Call 112 and ask for an ambulance. UK government guidance also lists 109 for assistance from the Red Cross, and advises contacting your insurer quickly if you are referred for treatment.

Do French citizens need a visa for Burundi?

The supplied travel guidance identifies a tourist visa as required for Burundi, with visas also available on arrival according to U.S. government information. Check the current rules for French passport holders with Burundi's official authorities before travel.