What Vaccinations Does Ethiopia Require for Italians in 2026?

Quick answer: Italian citizens travelling directly from Italy to Ethiopia generally do not need to show a yellow fever certificate, because Ethiopia's entry rule applies to travellers arriving from, or transiting for more than 12 hours through, countries with yellow fever transmission risk. The certificate requirement applies to travellers aged 9 months or older. Yellow fever vaccination is nevertheless recommended for most travel in Ethiopia, except itineraries limited to Afar and Somali regions.

Malaria prevention is also itinerary-specific. Ethiopia's official travel notice identifies year-round malaria risk below 2,000 metres, with no malaria risk in Addis Ababa; a travel-health clinician should decide whether you need preventive medication. This guide is informational, not legal or medical advice. Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

If you are also checking entry paperwork, see our guide to Ethiopia visa requirements for Italian citizens. Visa rules and health rules are separate checks.

Quick answer: required versus recommended vaccines

Vaccine or protection	Is it required to enter Ethiopia?	What Italian travellers should know
Yellow fever	Only in specified travel-history situations	Required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including a qualifying airport transit of more than 12 hours.
Yellow fever for protection	Not an entry requirement for every itinerary	Recommended for most travellers aged 9 months or older, but generally not recommended when the itinerary is limited to Afar and Somali regions.
Hepatitis A	Not identified in the research as an entry requirement	Recommended by CDC for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia.
Routine vaccinations	Not identified in the research as an entry requirement	Keep routine vaccinations up to date and discuss your personal record with a healthcare professional.
Malaria prevention	No vaccine-entry rule identified	Ask a clinician about chemoprophylaxis and use mosquito-bite precautions in risk areas below 2,000 metres.

There is no single vaccine list that applies equally to every Italian visitor. Your route, altitude, length of stay, activities, existing immunity, age, pregnancy status and medical history affect the advice. A travel-health appointment is particularly important if you will travel outside Addis Ababa, visit rural areas, stay for an extended period or combine Ethiopia with other African countries.

Yellow fever certificate rules for travellers from Italy

When is a yellow fever certificate required?

Ethiopia requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or older who arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. The same rule applies when a traveller has transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with that risk. Ethiopia's Public Health Institute describes this as a mandatory certificate rule at entry.

For an Italian citizen flying directly from Italy, the key issue is therefore the complete itinerary, not simply the passport held. Check every connection before departure. A connection through a yellow-fever-risk country may change the documentation you need, especially if the transit lasts more than 12 hours or requires leaving the airside transit area. The CDC also advises considering the full itinerary, including long transfers that may involve immigration or accommodation outside the transit area.

The CDC's country guidance states that direct travel from the United States does not trigger an Ethiopian yellow fever certificate requirement, while travel from countries with yellow fever transmission risk does. That wording confirms that Ethiopia's rule is based on the traveller's recent route as well as destination. Italy is not identified in the supplied risk-country list, but travellers should verify their actual routing against the current official guidance before flying.

How long is a yellow fever certificate valid?

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, or ICVP, is considered valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations framework; the CDC states that the yellow fever booster requirement was eliminated in 2016. Carry the original certificate when a certificate is required and make sure the vaccination was administered at an authorised centre that issues the international certificate. If you have a medical contraindication, ask a qualified travel-health provider whether a medical waiver is appropriate; acceptance should be confirmed with the relevant authorities before travel.

Do not confuse the entry requirement with the health recommendation. Ethiopia recommends yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or older visiting most areas, even when their flight from Italy does not make a certificate mandatory. The vaccine is generally not recommended for travel limited to Afar or Somali regions, according to the CDC and Ethiopian Public Health Institute.

Recommended vaccinations and when to arrange them

Book a travel-health consultation several weeks before departure. The exact timing depends on which vaccines you have already received and whether a multi-dose course is appropriate. Take your vaccination records, a detailed itinerary and a list of medicines to the appointment.

Yellow fever

Discuss yellow fever vaccination if you will visit areas for which the CDC recommends it, even if you are flying directly from Italy. If your itinerary includes a qualifying transit through a risk country, arrange the vaccine and ICVP before travel. The CDC notes that travellers must comply with entry requirements by presenting an ICVP showing vaccination or a medical waiver.

Hepatitis A

CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia. Ask a clinician how this fits with your previous vaccination history, departure date and health circumstances.

Routine vaccinations

Review routine vaccinations before departure. The U.S. Department of State advises travellers to ensure that they are up to date with vaccinations recommended by the CDC. Your Italian healthcare provider can check your national vaccination record and identify any routine doses that are due.

Other vaccines to discuss

The research does not establish a universal Ethiopian entry requirement for typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies, meningococcal disease, polio or cholera. Whether any of these is appropriate depends on your accommodation, food and water exposure, animal contact, planned activities, medical history and the length of your stay. Do not treat a commercial vaccine checklist as a substitute for an individual consultation.

Route planning also matters. If you are comparing northern historic sites with lower-altitude wildlife areas, use our guide to Ethiopia safari itineraries for first-time travellers and take the exact route to your clinician. Travellers can also compare safari packages on SafariFind once their health planning is clear.

Malaria in Ethiopia: risk areas, medication and prevention

Ethiopia's Public Health Institute reports malaria risk throughout the year in the country below 2,000 metres. It identifies approximately 60% of the risk as Plasmodium falciparum and 40% as Plasmodium vivax, and reports chloroquine resistance in P. vivax. Addis Ababa has no malaria risk according to the same notice.

These figures make altitude and route important. A trip confined to Addis Ababa is different from a low-altitude journey through other parts of Ethiopia. The CDC malaria guidance should be reviewed with a clinician who can assess your itinerary and medical history; do not start, stop or select an antimalarial medicine without professional advice.

Prevent mosquito bites

• Use an effective insect repellent as directed on its label.
• Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, particularly around dawn and dusk.
• Use screened accommodation or a mosquito net where appropriate.
• Ask your clinician whether prescription prevention is suitable for your route.

Malaria symptoms can occur after returning home. If you develop fever or a flu-like illness during or after Ethiopia travel, tell the healthcare professional that you have visited a malaria-risk area. The need for assessment is especially important because malaria can be serious; the supplied official research confirms the disease risk but does not provide a universal post-travel monitoring period.

Health documents and travel insurance

Carry a paper copy of your ICVP if yellow fever vaccination is relevant to your route. Keep a digital backup separately, but do not rely only on a phone if border officials request the original document. Also carry your routine vaccination record, prescriptions and a concise summary of important medical conditions.

Travel insurance is a practical part of health preparation. Check that the policy covers the activities on your itinerary and understand how it handles emergency treatment, hospital care and possible evacuation. The research supplied for this article does not establish a particular insurer, coverage limit or mandatory insurance rule, so confirm policy terms directly with the insurer.

Health requirements can change during outbreaks or when countries revise border procedures. Check Ethiopian authorities, your airline and an Italian travel-health service shortly before departure. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute specifically describes yellow fever as an entry-control issue and publishes a travel notice; official information should take priority over older clinic pages or general travel blogs.

Medication rules and what to pack

Pack enough regular medication for the trip and keep it in its original labelled packaging. Bring a copy of the prescription or a letter from your prescriber describing the medicine and dose, particularly for controlled, injectable or temperature-sensitive medicines. Ask the Ethiopian embassy or relevant official authority about any medicine-specific import restriction before departure; the supplied research does not provide a complete Ethiopian medication list, so this article cannot confirm that a particular drug is permitted.

• Prescription medicines and a copy of the prescription.
• Yellow fever ICVP, if your route triggers the certificate requirement.
• Vaccination records and relevant medical information.
• Repellent and clothing suitable for mosquito-bite prevention.
• Any personal supplies recommended by your clinician for food, water or gastrointestinal precautions.

For food and water safety, use careful hand hygiene and favour freshly prepared, thoroughly cooked food, fruit you can peel yourself and pasteurised dairy products. These precautions are recommended in the supplied travel-health guidance.

Health facilities and emergencies in Ethiopia

Medical standards and availability can vary by location. Plan how you would obtain help from each camp, lodge or guide, especially when travelling away from Addis Ababa. The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa maintains a list of doctors and hospitals, but it does not endorse or recommend a specific medical provider or clinic.

Before leaving Italy, save your insurer's assistance number, your accommodation contacts and the contact details for your tour operator. Ask your safari operator what local emergency process applies to the route. If you are comparing operators, our guide to how to compare Ethiopia safari operators can help you assess practical arrangements alongside the itinerary.

Air quality can also be a concern in some destinations; the U.S. Department of State notes that air pollution can be significant in many overseas destinations, including information provided for Ethiopia. Travellers with asthma or other respiratory conditions should discuss the itinerary and any precautions with their clinician.

Finally, review the route rather than relying on a generic "Ethiopia vaccine list". A direct flight from Italy, a connection through a yellow-fever-risk country, a stay limited to Addis Ababa and a low-altitude safari can produce very different health preparations. Confirm the final requirements with official sources and your healthcare professional before travelling.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Italian citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Ethiopia?

Not usually when travelling directly from Italy, but Ethiopia requires a certificate for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk or transiting for more than 12 hours through such a country. Check the full itinerary before departure.

Is yellow fever vaccination recommended for Ethiopia?

Yes, it is recommended for most travellers aged 9 months or older, although it is generally not recommended for itineraries limited to Afar and Somali regions. This recommendation is separate from the certificate requirement at the border.

Does a transit through a yellow fever country affect entry to Ethiopia?

Yes. Ethiopia requires proof of vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or older who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Review every connection, including overnight arrangements.

How long is the yellow fever certificate valid for Ethiopia?

The CDC states that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for yellow fever is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations framework. Carry the original certificate when your itinerary triggers the entry rule.

What vaccinations are recommended for Italian travellers to Ethiopia?

CDC recommends hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers of all ages and yellow fever for most travellers aged 9 months or older, with routine vaccinations kept up to date. Other vaccines depend on your route, activities and medical history.

Is hepatitis A vaccination recommended for Ethiopia?

Yes. CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia. Ask a healthcare professional how to schedule it based on your previous doses and departure date.

Do I need malaria tablets for Ethiopia?

Possibly, depending on your route and altitude. Ethiopia reports year-round malaria risk below 2,000 metres and no malaria risk in Addis Ababa, so a clinician should assess your itinerary before prescribing prevention.

Is there malaria in Addis Ababa?

The Ethiopian Public Health Institute reports no malaria risk in Addis Ababa. Other parts of Ethiopia below 2,000 metres have year-round risk, so do not apply the Addis Ababa guidance to the rest of the country.

Do Italian citizens need a visa for Ethiopia?

Visa rules are separate from vaccination rules. The supplied entry-conditions research lists Italian passport holders as eligible for an Ethiopian visa on arrival, while the U.S. Department of State identifies the official e-visa portal; confirm the current option and conditions before travel.

What health documents should I take to Ethiopia?

Take your original yellow fever ICVP if your route triggers the certificate rule, plus vaccination records, prescriptions and relevant medical information. Confirm any additional document requirements with Ethiopian authorities and your airline before departure.