What Vaccines Does Ethiopia Require for Danish Travellers in 2026?

Quick answer: Ethiopia’s main vaccination entry rule is for yellow fever. Travellers aged 9 months or older must show an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) when arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including a transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country. Danish citizenship alone does not create this certificate requirement; your complete flight itinerary matters.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most travellers aged 9 months or older visiting Ethiopia, although it is generally not recommended when travel is limited to Afar and Somali regions. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers of all ages travelling to Ethiopia. Review routine vaccinations, malaria protection, medicines and insurance with a travel-health professional before departure.

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

Vaccination requirements for Danish citizens at a glance

Health measure	Required to enter Ethiopia?	Who should consider it?
Yellow fever certificate	Required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country, or after a qualifying transit through one.	Travellers whose route or destination creates yellow fever exposure risk; a clinician should assess individual contraindications.
Yellow fever vaccine	Not automatically required solely because you hold a Danish passport; the certificate rule depends on the route.	Recommended for most travellers aged 9 months or older, except itineraries limited to Afar or Somali.
Hepatitis A	Not identified in the research as an Ethiopian entry requirement.	Recommended for unvaccinated travellers of all ages.
Routine vaccines and measles	No Ethiopia-specific entry requirement is identified in the supplied official guidance.	CDC recommends that all international travellers be fully vaccinated against measles before travel.
Malaria prevention	Not a vaccine entry requirement.	Use mosquito-bite precautions and discuss preventive medicine for risk areas with a healthcare professional.

This article covers health rules rather than immigration permission. For the separate immigration question, see Ethiopia visa information for Danish citizens in 2026.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Ethiopia

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 after transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in a yellow-fever-risk country. The Ethiopian Public Health Institute describes this as a mandatory certificate regulation.

There is an important distinction between a vaccination recommendation and an entry requirement. Ethiopia recommends yellow fever vaccination for most travellers aged 9 months or older because yellow fever transmission risk exists in parts of the country. The vaccine is generally not recommended when the itinerary is limited to Afar and Somali regions.

Plan around every airport on your booking, including overnight or extended connections. A route that appears to start in Denmark may still create a certificate issue if it includes a qualifying transit in a country with yellow fever transmission risk. CDC guidance says the full itinerary should be assessed, including transfers where a traveller may need to pass through immigration or leave the transit area during a long layover.

Carry the original ICVP with your passport rather than relying only on a phone photograph. Under the International Health Regulations, a completed yellow fever certificate is valid for the life of the vaccinated person, and countries cannot require a booster as a condition of entry solely because of the certificate’s issue date. This does not remove the need to check the latest Ethiopian rule or your transit-country requirements before departure.

Medical waivers can be relevant when yellow fever vaccination is unsuitable. CDC guidance states that travellers must comply with entry requirements by showing an ICVP containing vaccination evidence or an indication of a medical waiver. Discuss pregnancy, immune conditions, age-related risks, allergies and previous vaccine reactions with a qualified clinician; do not decide on a waiver without medical advice.

Recommended vaccinations and timing

Hepatitis A

CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers of all ages going to Ethiopia. The infection is associated with contaminated food and water, so vaccination should be considered even when your itinerary is limited to hotels, cities or an organised Ethiopia safari package.

Routine vaccination and measles

Check that routine vaccinations are up to date before international travel. CDC specifically recommends that all travellers be fully vaccinated against measles before travelling to any international destination because measles cases are increasing globally and the disease spreads rapidly among people who are not fully vaccinated.

The supplied country guidance does not establish a separate Ethiopia entry requirement for routine vaccines, measles, hepatitis A or other routine immunisations. A travel-health appointment can still identify protection gaps based on your age, medical history, season, activities and planned regions.

When to seek advice

The UK government advises travellers to check vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before a trip. Earlier is preferable if you need a multi-dose course, have a chronic condition, are pregnant, take regular medication or may need specialist advice about yellow fever vaccination. If departure is soon, still seek professional advice rather than assuming that late vaccination has no value.

For comparison, SafariFind also covers vaccine planning for Austrian travellers to Ethiopia; the health assessment remains itinerary- and person-specific.

Malaria in Ethiopia: risk areas, medicine and prevention

EPHI reports malaria risk throughout the year in Ethiopia below 2,000 metres, with approximately 60% of cases attributed to Plasmodium falciparum and 40% to Plasmodium vivax. It reports no malaria risk in Addis Ababa. Altitude does not make every Ethiopian destination malaria-free, so check each overnight stop rather than relying on the name of a region or city.

Popular sites outside Addis Ababa may be below 2,000 metres, and the UK government advises that malaria is common in areas up to that altitude. This can matter for travellers combining Addis Ababa with lowland wildlife areas, lakes, rural communities or a multi-day safari.

EPHI classifies Ethiopia’s risk areas as requiring mosquito-bite prevention plus an appropriate preventive medicine for areas with P. falciparum risk. Listed options include atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine; selection should take account of drug resistance, side effects and contraindications. CDC guidance also notes that tafenoquine requires quantitative G6PD testing before prescribing because it can cause potentially life-threatening haemolysis in people with G6PD deficiency.

• Ask a clinician whether prescription malaria prophylaxis is appropriate for every part of your route.
• Use insect repellent, cover exposed skin and sleep under a properly used mosquito net where suitable; these measures are part of mosquito-bite prevention guidance.
• Seek medical advice promptly for fever during or after travel, and explain that you have been in a malaria-risk area.

Malaria tablets are not a substitute for bite prevention, and Addis Ababa’s reported lack of malaria risk does not necessarily apply to excursions outside the city.

Health documents, insurance and travel planning

Keep your passport, ICVP if applicable, prescription information, vaccination records and insurance details together. The ICVP is the document used to demonstrate yellow fever vaccination or a medical waiver at borders. If your itinerary includes a risk-country transit, check the certificate rule before you book and again before flying.

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

Healthcare access varies considerably. The UK government reports that only private hospitals in Addis Ababa offer a reasonable standard of basic care for minor problems, while medical facilities outside the capital are extremely poor and ambulance services are limited. This makes evacuation cover, a personal medical plan and realistic route planning important for remote trekking or safari itineraries. Compare safari packages on SafariFind with attention to the remoteness of camps, transport arrangements and what medical support the operator actually includes.

Medication rules and what to pack

The legal status and regulation of medicines prescribed or purchased in Europe can differ in Ethiopia. The UK government recommends checking best practice for travelling with medicines before departure. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist how to carry essential medication lawfully, especially controlled medicines, injectable medicines or products requiring refrigeration.

• Carry essential prescription medicines in their original packaging, together with a copy of the prescription or a clinician’s letter where appropriate.
• Pack enough medication for the itinerary and possible delays, subject to the medicine’s legal and storage requirements.
• Bring a basic personal medical kit when travelling outside Addis Ababa because medical facilities are limited and the UK government specifically advises carrying a comprehensive medical pack outside the capital.
• Include mosquito repellent and suitable protective clothing for malaria-risk areas.
• Carry insurance contact details and know how to contact your operator if you need medical assistance.

Do not assume that a medicine available in Denmark will be available, legal or quality-assured in Ethiopia. Confirm country-specific rules with an official Ethiopian authority or a qualified healthcare professional before packing it.

Food, water, lakes and other health risks

Water-borne diseases are common in Ethiopia. The UK government advises drinking or using only boiled or bottled water and avoiding ice in drinks. Food and water precautions complement hepatitis A vaccination; neither measure eliminates every infection risk.

Bilharzia, also called schistosomiasis, is present in the vast majority of Ethiopia’s lakes, according to the UK government. Check current advice before swimming in lakes, including destinations around Lake Tana and other Ethiopian travel regions.

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Ethiopia, including Addis Ababa, according to the UK government. If your itinerary includes high-altitude trekking or rapid changes in elevation, discuss acclimatisation and any personal risk factors with a clinician. For route decisions in mountainous areas, read Ethiopia’s alternative trekking options and safety considerations.

Health facilities and emergencies in Ethiopia

Medical care is most accessible in Addis Ababa, while facilities outside the capital may be extremely limited. Confirm how your accommodation, safari operator or trekking organiser would arrange transport to medical care before travelling into remote areas. Insurance providers should be contacted quickly if you are referred to a medical facility.

The UK government lists 907 as Ethiopia’s emergency medical number and advises callers to ask for an ambulance. Emergency systems and response times may vary by location, so retain your insurer’s assistance number and your operator’s 24-hour contact details as well.

Health requirements can change without notice, and transit countries may apply their own vaccination rules. This article is informational content, not legal or medical advice. Confirm Ethiopian entry rules with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute or another official Ethiopian authority, review the latest CDC and WHO guidance, and obtain individual advice from a travel-health professional before travelling.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Danish citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Ethiopia?

Not solely because they are Danish citizens. Ethiopia requires proof for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country or after transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in one; the complete itinerary determines whether the rule applies.

Is yellow fever vaccination recommended for a trip to Ethiopia?

Yes, it is recommended for most travellers aged 9 months or older. It is generally not recommended when travel is limited to Afar and Somali regions.

How long is a yellow fever certificate valid for Ethiopia?

A completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is valid for the life of the vaccinated person. International rules no longer allow a country to require a yellow fever booster solely as a condition of entry.

Does a long airport transit trigger Ethiopia’s yellow fever rule?

A transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk can trigger the certificate requirement for travellers aged 9 months or older. Check whether your itinerary involves immigration or leaving the transit area during a long connection.

Which vaccines are recommended for unvaccinated travellers to Ethiopia?

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for unvaccinated travellers of all ages, and CDC recommends that international travellers be fully vaccinated against measles. A travel-health professional should assess other vaccines according to your itinerary and medical history.

How early should Danish travellers arrange Ethiopia vaccinations?

Arrange a travel-health appointment at least 8 weeks before departure where possible. Earlier advice allows time to review routine vaccines, multi-dose courses, malaria prevention and any yellow fever vaccination concerns.

Where is malaria a risk in Ethiopia?

EPHI reports year-round malaria risk throughout Ethiopia below 2,000 metres and no malaria risk in Addis Ababa. Other destinations and excursions should be assessed individually because popular tourist sites outside the capital may be below 2,000 metres.

Do I need malaria tablets for Ethiopia?

You may need preventive medicine for malaria-risk areas, but the decision must be made with a healthcare professional. EPHI lists atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline and mefloquine among possible options, selected according to resistance, side effects and contraindications.

What emergency medical number should I use in Ethiopia?

The UK government lists 907 and advises callers to ask for an ambulance. Keep your travel-insurance assistance number and local operator contact details available because medical access outside Addis Ababa is limited.

Should I get travel insurance for Ethiopia?

Yes, arrange insurance that covers local medical treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. The UK government specifically advises appropriate insurance and notes that healthcare outside Addis Ababa can be extremely limited.