What Vaccinations Does Madagascar Require from Austria in 2026?

Quick answer: Madagascar does not generally require yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving directly from a country without yellow fever transmission risk. A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country .

For Austrian citizens, the key issue is your complete route rather than nationality alone. Review routine vaccinations, discuss typhoid and malaria prevention with a travel-health professional, and arrange a consultation preferably 6–8 weeks before departure . Requirements can change, and this article is informational rather than legal or medical advice.

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

Yellow fever certificate rules for Austrian travellers

Madagascar’s yellow fever entry rule is route-dependent. The CDC states that yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for travel to Madagascar itself, and that vaccination is not required for travellers arriving directly from the United States. However, the CDC also states that proof of vaccination is required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission .

The requirement can also apply after a qualifying airport transit. The CDC includes airport transits or layovers of more than 12 hours in a country with yellow fever transmission risk . Therefore, an Austrian traveller should check every stop on the ticket, including overnight connections and separate tickets, rather than checking only the departure airport.

Travel situation	Yellow fever certificate position
Direct arrival from a country without yellow fever transmission risk	The available CDC country guidance does not identify a certificate requirement for this situation .
Arrival after travel from a country with yellow fever transmission risk	Required for travellers aged 9 months or older under the cited Madagascar entry rule .
Transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in a yellow-fever-risk country	Can trigger the certificate requirement for travellers aged 9 months or older .
Transit that does not meet the qualifying threshold	Check the current rule with the official Madagascar authorities, airline and travel-health clinic before departure; the route-specific outcome should not be assumed.

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is the document used to record yellow fever vaccination. Under the International Health Regulations, a completed certificate is considered valid for the life of the vaccinated person, and the former routine booster requirement was eliminated in 2016 . Keep the certificate with your passport if your itinerary could trigger Madagascar’s yellow fever rule.

Medical suitability matters. Yellow fever vaccination decisions should take account of age, immune status and other individual factors, so ask a clinician to assess your circumstances before vaccination . If your route includes a risk country, do not leave the certificate question until check-in: confirm the current requirement and any timing conditions with the official portal, airline and authorised vaccination provider.

Recommended vaccinations and timing

Entry requirements and personal-health recommendations are different. A vaccine can be advisable for protection even when Madagascar does not require proof of it at the border. The CDC advises all travellers to be up to date with routine vaccines before every trip and says eligible travellers should be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination .

Routine vaccinations

Ask an Austrian doctor or travel clinic to review your routine vaccination record. The routine vaccines identified in the available travel-health guidance include measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, chickenpox and seasonal influenza, depending on your individual schedule and eligibility . The Canadian travel advice also emphasises that routine vaccinations should be current regardless of destination .

Routine protection is particularly relevant where your itinerary includes remote areas, group travel or close contact with local communities. Your clinician should consider your age, previous doses, medical history, pregnancy status and the activities planned; the final schedule is individual rather than a universal Madagascar requirement.

Typhoid

The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers to Madagascar, especially people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas . This is a personal-protection recommendation, not an entry requirement listed in the cited Madagascar guidance.

Discuss typhoid vaccination early enough for your clinician to select the appropriate product and schedule. Food and water precautions remain necessary because vaccination does not remove the need to manage exposure risk.

Hepatitis A and other itinerary-based vaccines

The research supplied for this article does not provide an official source confirming a specific Madagascar hepatitis A recommendation for Austrian travellers. Do not treat hepatitis A as a mandatory entry vaccine on the basis of this article; ask an Austrian travel-health professional whether it is appropriate for your itinerary.

Rabies is present in Madagascar and is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats . Pre-travel rabies vaccination may be considered for people at higher exposure risk, including children, wildlife workers, veterinarians, adventure travellers, cave explorers and people expecting close contact with animals . Avoiding animals remains important even if you are vaccinated.

Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended by the CDC for Madagascar, although unvaccinated travellers aged one year or older going to Madagascar are identified in the CDC guidance as a group for whom the vaccine may be considered . This is a clinician-led decision, not a general entry requirement.

When should you arrange a travel-health appointment?

The Canadian government advises consulting a healthcare provider or travel-health clinic preferably 6 weeks before travel . UK government guidance advises checking vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before the trip . Book as early as practical, particularly if you need several routine vaccinations, a yellow fever assessment or prescriptions.

If departure is sooner, still seek advice. The Canadian guidance says an appointment can remain worthwhile even when the travel date is approaching . Bring your proposed route, accommodation details, activity plans and vaccination record to the appointment.

Malaria: risk areas, prophylaxis and prevention

Malaria is a recognised health risk in Madagascar. UK government travel advice specifically lists malaria among the health risks travellers may face in the country . Travel-health sources describe malaria as present throughout Madagascar and advise that antimalarial medication should be discussed with a medical practitioner .

There is no single malaria plan that is suitable for every Austrian visitor. The choice depends on your route, season, length of stay, accommodation, other medicines, pregnancy status, medical history and possible drug interactions. Ask a travel-health professional whether prescription prophylaxis is appropriate and exactly when to start and stop it. Do not buy or use antimalarial medication without professional advice.

Medication is only one layer of protection. The CDC advises all travellers to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, and mosquito-borne infections remain a concern even where malaria tablets are used . Use long sleeves and trousers when practical, apply an appropriate insect repellent, and follow your clinician’s advice on treated clothing or bed nets. Ask for urgent medical advice if you develop a fever during or after travel, and mention your Madagascar itinerary.

For trip planning, compare the health profile of each park and transfer route with your operator. A remote wildlife safari park, forest stay or multi-region itinerary can involve different access to medical care than a short urban visit. Travellers comparing destinations can also read Madagascar safari vs Kruger National Park to understand how the two safari experiences differ.

Food, water and other health precautions

UK government advice states that tap water in Madagascar is unsafe and recommends drinking and using only boiled or bottled water, while avoiding ice in drinks . Use safe water for brushing your teeth where the source is uncertain, and take care with raw food and food that has not been kept hot or chilled.

Carry hand sanitiser and supplies for treating minor stomach upset. If diarrhoea is severe, persistent or accompanied by dehydration, fever or blood, seek medical care rather than relying only on self-treatment. Your travel clinic can provide personalised advice about oral rehydration and medicines.

Rabies exposure requires prompt action. Avoid free-roaming dogs and other animals, supervise children closely around animals, and obtain urgent medical advice after a bite or scratch . Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water while arranging care. A pre-travel vaccine does not mean an animal bite can be ignored.

Health documents and insurance

Carry a copy of your vaccination record and any International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis that applies to your route. Keep essential documents accessible during airport connections, not only in checked luggage. The yellow fever certificate is particularly important if you have travelled through a qualifying risk country .

Travel insurance should cover local medical treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. UK government advice says this is particularly important for travellers with a health condition or who are pregnant . Check exclusions for remote activities, trekking, diving, motorcycle travel and pre-existing conditions before departure.

Healthcare capacity is limited for complex treatment. The UK government reports that public and private hospitals in Antananarivo can handle routine operations but that patients needing complex surgery may be flown to Mauritius, South Africa or Réunion . Insurance with accessible emergency funds and evacuation cover is therefore a practical part of preparation, especially for remote safari routes.

When comparing Madagascar safari costs in 2026, treat insurance, prescribed medicines and possible evacuation cover as separate travel-budget items unless your operator clearly states that a particular service is included.

Medication rules and what to pack

Medication rules can differ between countries. UK government advice warns that the legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK may be different in other countries . Austrian travellers should check the status of controlled or restricted medicines with the relevant Madagascar diplomatic or official authority before departure.

Pack enough regular medication for the entire trip, plus a reasonable reserve if your clinician recommends one. Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging and carry a prescription or doctor’s letter describing the medicine and your treatment. The supplied research does not confirm Madagascar-specific document requirements for every medicine, so confirm the current rules for your exact prescriptions on official sources.

• Vaccination record and, where applicable, yellow fever certificate .
• Prescription medicines in original packaging, with supporting documentation.
• Insect repellent and clothing that reduces exposed skin .
• Safe drinking-water supplies for transfers or remote stays, consistent with local advice .
• Travel insurance details and emergency contact information .
• Basic first-aid supplies and any clinician-recommended diarrhoea or rehydration products.

Do not rely on a safari camp or rural lodge to stock your specific prescription. Confirm with your operator what is available on the route, while remembering that operator information does not replace official medical or entry guidance. You can compare safari packages on SafariFind after checking that the itinerary matches your health needs and insurance cover.

Health facilities and emergencies in Madagascar

Madagascar has public and private hospitals in Antananarivo, but the UK government warns that they may not provide complex surgery locally . Ask your insurer for instructions before accepting non-emergency treatment where possible, and contact the insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility .

The emergency ambulance numbers listed in UK government guidance are 117 from a mobile phone and 17 from a landline . Save these numbers and your insurer’s assistance line before travelling. In remote areas, response times and onward transport can differ from those in Antananarivo; confirm the emergency plan with your safari operator.

Before booking, tell the operator about relevant medical conditions, allergies, mobility limitations and pregnancy. Discuss altitude exposure if your route includes higher areas, because UK advice identifies altitude sickness as a risk in parts of Madagascar .

For entry paperwork alongside health preparation, see the guide to the Madagascar visa for Austrian citizens in 2026. Visa rules and health-document rules are separate checks, so confirm both before departure.

Final checklist: verify the complete flight route for yellow fever exposure, review routine vaccinations, ask about typhoid and rabies based on activities, obtain malaria advice, arrange insurance with evacuation cover, pack medicines and documents, and recheck official guidance before flying.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Austrian citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Madagascar?

Not generally when arriving from a country without yellow fever transmission risk, but Madagascar requires proof for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a risk country or after a qualifying transit of more than 12 hours through a risk-country airport . Confirm the current rule for your complete itinerary before departure.

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

Yes, a transit or layover of more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk can trigger the requirement for travellers aged 9 months or older . Check each connection with the airline and official authorities.

How long is a yellow fever certificate valid for Madagascar?

Under the International Health Regulations, a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for yellow fever is valid for the life of the vaccinated person . The entry requirement can still depend on your route and vaccination status.

Which vaccines are recommended for Madagascar?

The CDC advises routine vaccines and up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination for eligible travellers, and recommends typhoid vaccination for most visitors, especially those visiting rural areas or smaller cities . Rabies vaccination may be appropriate for travellers with higher animal-exposure risk .

How early should Austrian travellers visit a travel clinic?

Arrange a consultation preferably 6–8 weeks before departure . Earlier advice is useful if you need several vaccines, a yellow fever assessment or prescription medicines.

Do I need malaria tablets for Madagascar?

Malaria is a recognised risk in Madagascar, and travel-health guidance advises discussing antimalarial medication with a medical practitioner . The right prescription depends on your itinerary and medical history, so do not self-prescribe.

Is tap water safe to drink in Madagascar?

UK government advice says tap water is unsafe and recommends using only boiled or bottled water while avoiding ice in drinks . Apply the same caution to water used for brushing your teeth when the source is uncertain.

What should I do after a dog bite or animal scratch in Madagascar?

Wash the wound with soap and water and seek urgent medical advice. Rabies is present in Madagascar and can be carried by dogs and wildlife, so avoid animals and supervise children closely .

Do I need travel insurance for a Madagascar safari?

You should arrange insurance covering local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation . Complex surgery may require transfer from Madagascar to Mauritius, South Africa or Réunion, according to UK government advice .

What emergency numbers can travellers use in Madagascar?

The emergency ambulance numbers listed in UK government advice are 117 from a mobile phone and 17 from a landline . Save these numbers and your insurer’s assistance line before departure.