What Vaccines Does Burundi Require for Swedish Travellers in 2026?

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

This article covers vaccination and health preparation for Swedish citizens travelling to Burundi. Entry documentation is separate from health rules, so check the latest guidance in whether Swedish citizens need a Burundi visa in 2026 before departure.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Swedish travellers

Yellow fever proof is Burundi’s main health-related entry requirement. CDC country guidance states that the vaccine is required for all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older. The WHO country list also records Burundi’s entry requirement as proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travellers aged 9 months or over.

The rule applies to the traveller’s arrival in Burundi, not simply to people who have recently visited a yellow-fever-risk country. Therefore, a Swedish citizen flying directly from Sweden should still prepare the certificate. The fact that a journey begins in Sweden does not remove Burundi’s stated requirement.

Carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis with your travel documents. CDC guidance says that travellers complying with a country’s yellow fever entry rules should show an ICVP containing evidence of vaccination or a medical waiver.

What if the itinerary includes a transit airport?

Review every airport and transit period in the booking, rather than checking only the Sweden–Burundi flight. CDC guidance says the full itinerary should be considered, including transfers where a traveller may have to pass through immigration for accommodation or because of a long layover.

The research available for this guide confirms Burundi’s rule for all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older. It does not establish a separate Burundi-specific transit-hour threshold for every routing. Ask the airline, the relevant embassy or consulate and the official health-authority source about any transit-country requirement before booking a multi-stop journey. Requirements can depend on whether you remain airside and on the countries visited in transit.

Certificate validity and boosters

Under the International Health Regulations, a completed yellow fever ICVP is considered valid for the life of the vaccinated person. CDC guidance also states that the former booster requirement was eliminated from the IHR in 2016.

Do not assume that a booster is needed solely because an older certificate is being used. Keep the original certificate available, and ask a travel-health clinician whether an additional dose is medically appropriate for your circumstances.

Recommended vaccinations and timing

There is no single vaccine schedule that suits every Swedish traveller. The appropriate preparation depends on age, previous doses, pregnancy or immune status, chronic conditions, trip length, accommodation and planned activities. Arrange a travel-health consultation in time to review your routine vaccination record and obtain any required or recommended vaccines.

Hepatitis A

CDC guidance recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers aged 1 year or older travelling to Burundi. Infants aged 6–11 months should also receive a dose when travelling, but that early dose does not count towards the routine two-dose series.

If a traveller is allergic to a vaccine component, CDC guidance says a single dose of immune globulin may be used, with the duration of protection depending on the dose given. Travellers over 40, people who are immunocompromised and those with chronic medical conditions who will depart for a risk area in less than two weeks may need the initial vaccine dose and immune globulin at the same appointment.

Typhoid

Typhoid vaccination is recommended for most travellers to Burundi, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. This makes it particularly relevant for travellers whose plans extend beyond organised accommodation or urban areas.

Cholera

Cholera vaccination may be considered for children and adults travelling to areas with active cholera transmission. The decision should be based on current transmission information, the itinerary and the traveller’s individual risk; the supplied research does not establish that every visitor to Burundi must receive a cholera vaccine.

Routine and itinerary-based protection

Use the pre-travel appointment to check that routine vaccinations are current and to discuss additional protection based on the trip. The supplied CDC guidance specifically identifies hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera considerations for Burundi; it does not support presenting every vaccine as mandatory for Swedish citizens.

For a second perspective on the certificate question, compare this guide with SafariFind’s article on what vaccines Burundi requires for Irish travellers. The entry rule described by the official country sources is based on arrival in Burundi and traveller age, not on Swedish nationality.

Malaria: risk areas, prophylaxis and prevention

WHO information records malaria risk in Burundi throughout the year across the entire country, with risk due predominantly to Plasmodium falciparum. A safari, rural stay or other outdoor itinerary can increase mosquito exposure, but the country-wide risk information means travellers should discuss malaria prevention even when their plans are not limited to remote areas.

Ask a doctor or travel-medicine clinician whether prescription malaria prophylaxis is suitable. The choice depends on the route, length of stay, medical history, pregnancy status, other medicines and possible side effects. Do not select or start a prescription solely from a general online country list.

Reduce mosquito bites

• Use an effective insect repellent according to its label and your clinician’s advice.
• Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, particularly around mosquito-active periods.
• Use screened accommodation or sleep under a mosquito net where appropriate.
• Follow the complete prophylaxis instructions if medication is prescribed; do not stop early without medical advice.

Malaria can present after returning home. If you develop a fever or become unwell after Burundi travel, tell the healthcare professional that you have recently been in a malaria-risk country. The country-wide, year-round risk is documented by WHO.

Health documents and insurance

Place the yellow fever ICVP with your passport and keep a digital copy separately. A digital copy is a backup, not a substitute for confirming what border officials and carriers will accept. The ICVP is the document used to show yellow fever vaccination or a medical waiver under the guidance cited above.

Before leaving Sweden, review your travel insurance for medical treatment, hospital care and medical evacuation. The research supplied for this article recommends considering adequate health-insurance cover and supplemental medical-evacuation protection for Burundi travel.

Ask the insurer whether the policy covers the specific itinerary, activities and destinations. Keep the policy number, emergency contact details and relevant medical information accessible during the trip. These are preparation steps; they do not replace advice from a Swedish healthcare provider or the insurer.

SafariFind travellers can also compare safari packages in Burundi, but health planning should be based on the exact route and activities rather than the package name. If you are still deciding how long to stay, review this five-day Burundi safari and Lake Tanganyika itinerary alongside a clinician’s risk assessment.

Medication rules and what to pack

Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with the doctor’s prescription. The supplied traveller information advises checking whether prescription medication is legal in Burundi before travel.

Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about a written medication list showing the generic names, doses and medical reason for each medicine. Pack enough for the planned stay and contingencies, but confirm any quantity or controlled-medicine restrictions with Burundi’s official authorities, embassy or consulate; the research provided here does not establish a current universal allowance or fee.

A practical health kit can include personal prescriptions, the yellow fever certificate, routine first-aid supplies, insect repellent, sun protection and items recommended by your clinician. Do not bring a medicine simply because it is commonly listed for another country: malaria drugs and other treatments require an individual assessment.

Food- and water-borne illnesses are reported as common in Burundi in the supplied traveller information. Use safe drinking water, wash hands regularly and choose food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot where possible.

Health facilities and emergencies in Burundi

Confirm the location and capability of medical facilities along your route before departure, especially if your plan includes rural areas, national parks or time away from Bujumbura. The research supplied for this guide does not verify a current nationwide emergency number or provide a reliable list of facilities, so obtain those details from your accommodation, operator, insurer and official consular sources before travelling.

Tell your safari operator about relevant medical conditions, allergies and prescribed medicines before arrival. Keep emergency contacts and insurance information offline as well as on your phone. If an illness or injury occurs, contact local medical services and your insurer as soon as it is safe to do so.

Health preparation should also reflect the type of trip. A short urban visit, a rural community stay and a multi-day safari can involve different exposure patterns. Share the full route with the travel-health clinician, including transit airports, overnight stops and activities near water or in mosquito-prone environments.

Finally, recheck the yellow fever rule and any outbreak-related guidance immediately before departure. Official health and entry requirements can change, and an airline may verify documents before boarding. For safari planning, you can separately compare Burundi safari costs in 2026, while keeping vaccination and medical decisions with the relevant health authorities and professionals.

Verification note: Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling. This article is informational content, not legal or medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Swedish citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Burundi?

Yes. Burundi requires all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, including Swedish citizens arriving directly from Sweden.

What document proves yellow fever vaccination for Burundi?

Use an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), commonly called the yellow card. CDC guidance says the ICVP should show vaccination or a medical waiver where applicable.

Is the yellow fever certificate valid for life?

Yes. A completed yellow fever ICVP is considered valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations. CDC guidance says the former booster requirement was eliminated in 2016.

Does flying directly from Sweden remove Burundi’s yellow fever requirement?

No. Burundi’s stated requirement applies to all arriving travellers aged 9 months or older, so a direct journey from Sweden does not remove the certificate requirement.

What vaccines are recommended for Swedish travellers to Burundi?

CDC guidance recommends hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers aged 1 year or older and typhoid for most travellers, especially those visiting rural areas, smaller cities or friends and relatives. Cholera vaccination may be considered for travel to areas with active transmission.

How early should I get my Burundi travel vaccines?

Book a travel-health consultation early enough to review your vaccination history and itinerary. The supplied research does not establish one universal preparation period for every vaccine, so a clinician should set the timing for your age, health and departure date.

Is malaria a risk throughout Burundi?

WHO information records malaria risk throughout the entire country all year, predominantly from Plasmodium falciparum. Discuss prescription prophylaxis and mosquito-bite prevention with a travel-health clinician.

Do I need malaria tablets for a Burundi safari?

You should discuss malaria prophylaxis with a clinician because WHO records year-round malaria risk throughout Burundi. The appropriate medicine depends on your itinerary and personal medical factors, so do not choose a regimen from a generic list.

Can I take prescription medication into Burundi?

Carry prescription medicine in its original packaging with your doctor’s prescription, and check whether each medicine is legal in Burundi before travelling. The supplied research does not verify current quantity limits for every medicine.

What should I do if I have a medical condition or vaccine allergy?

Discuss the trip with a travel-health clinician before departure. CDC guidance says certain travellers with allergies, immune conditions or chronic medical conditions may need an individual yellow fever and hepatitis A plan, including possible immune globulin in specified circumstances.