Malawi Vaccinations & Health Rules for French Travellers 2026

Quick answer: French citizens travelling directly from France to Malawi do not generally need proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry. Malawi requires a yellow fever certificate for travellers aged 1 year or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including travellers who have a qualifying transit of more than 12 hours in such a country. The CDC does not recommend yellow fever vaccination solely for travel to Malawi, but recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers and hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers under 60; malaria prevention is recommended throughout Malawi.

Health requirements depend on your full itinerary, activities, medical history, age and planned departure date. Arrange a consultation with a French doctor or travel-health clinic well before departure, and confirm the latest entry rules with official authorities. This article is informational content, not legal or medical advice.

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

Malawi vaccination requirements for French travellers: at a glance

Vaccine or precaution	Entry requirement or recommendation	What French travellers should do
Yellow fever	Not generally required for direct travel from a country without yellow fever transmission risk. Required for travellers aged 1 or older arriving from a risk country, including qualifying long airport transits.	Check every country and transit time on your route. Carry the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis if the rule applies.
Typhoid	Recommended by the CDC for most travellers to Malawi, especially those visiting rural areas, smaller cities or friends and relatives.	Discuss vaccination with a travel-health professional, particularly for a rural or longer itinerary.
Hepatitis A	Recommended for unvaccinated travellers younger than 60; unvaccinated travellers aged 60 or older may also be vaccinated before travelling.	Ask a clinician whether it is appropriate for you and whether your previous vaccination records provide protection.
Malaria	Malaria risk exists throughout Malawi year-round; mosquito-bite prevention and preventive medication are recommended.	Obtain an individual prescription and use bite-avoidance measures throughout the trip.

Malawi’s entry vaccination rule is based primarily on where you have travelled from and transited, not simply on holding a French passport. A direct France–Malawi itinerary is therefore different from an itinerary that includes a country where yellow fever transmission occurs.

For broader planning, read Does Malawi Require a Visa for French Citizens in 2026? separately; visa rules and health-document rules are distinct requirements.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Malawi

Malawi requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 1 year or older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission. The requirement can also apply after a qualifying airport transit or layover of more than 12 hours in a risk country.

The CDC states that yellow fever vaccination is not recommended solely because of travel to Malawi, and that direct travel from the United States does not require the certificate. For a French traveller, the practical conclusion is similar only when the journey begins in France or another country without yellow fever transmission risk and does not include a qualifying transit through a risk country.

Check your complete routing rather than only the final flight. A connection in an affected country may change the documentation required at Malawi’s border. The CDC advises considering the full itinerary, including long transfers that could require leaving the airport or passing through immigration.

If vaccination is required, carry the paper International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), often called the yellow fever card. The CDC says a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations, and the former routine 10-year booster requirement was eliminated in 2016.

Do not assume a medical exemption will automatically remove an entry problem. The CDC states that travellers must comply with entry requirements by showing an ICVP with vaccination evidence or an indication of a medical waiver. Discuss contraindications and waiver documentation with an authorised yellow fever vaccination provider before departure.

Recommended vaccinations and timing

Routine vaccinations

Start by checking that your routine vaccinations are current with a healthcare professional. The research supplied for this guide does not establish a complete France-specific routine-vaccine schedule for Malawi, so your doctor should assess your vaccination history rather than relying on a generic list. The CDC recommends a destination consultation that takes account of personal risk factors and itinerary.

Typhoid

The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers to Malawi, with particular emphasis on people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. Safari itineraries that include rural lodges, community visits or travel away from major urban centres should be discussed during the consultation.

Hepatitis A

The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers younger than 60 visiting Malawi. Unvaccinated travellers aged 60 and older may also receive the vaccine before travel, subject to an individual clinical assessment.

Other vaccines

Whether you need other vaccines depends on factors such as trip length, accommodation, activities, contact with animals, previous immunisations and medical conditions. The supplied official research does not support presenting a universal list of additional required vaccines for every French traveller, so ask a clinician to review your itinerary and health history.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises travellers to check vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before a Malawi trip. That lead time allows a clinic to review records and plan any vaccine course or other preventive treatment that may be appropriate.

If you are comparing itineraries, safari length and location can affect your health planning. You can compare Malawi safari holidays with a 7-day wildlife and lake route while checking whether your plans include rural areas or extended time outdoors.

Malaria in Malawi: risk areas, prophylaxis and prevention

Malaria risk is present throughout Malawi all year. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health states that mosquito-bite prevention and chemoprophylaxis are recommended.

Speak to a doctor or travel-health clinic about preventive malaria medication before leaving France. The suitable medicine and schedule depend on your health, existing medicines, pregnancy status, allergies, trip dates and other personal factors; the research supplied does not support one universal drug or dose for every traveller.

Medication does not replace protection against mosquito bites. Use the measures recommended by a clinician and follow the product instructions for any repellent. Practical precautions include covering exposed skin, reducing exposure when mosquitoes are active, and using appropriate accommodation barriers such as screens or a mosquito net where available. The NIPH specifically advises insect-bite prevention for travellers to Malawi.

Seek medical attention promptly if you develop fever or become unwell during the trip or after returning to France. Tell the healthcare professional that you have been in Malawi and explain when you returned; malaria can require urgent assessment, and preventive medication does not eliminate all risk.

Health documents and travel insurance

Carry your vaccination records and, when relevant, the ICVP for yellow fever. Keep digital copies separately from the originals, but do not rely on a phone image where an official certificate is requested. The CDC identifies the ICVP as the document used to show yellow fever vaccination or a medical waiver at entry.

Arrange travel insurance that covers medical treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation. The FCDO reports that medical facilities in rural Malawi are basic, emergency services are limited, and many facilities expect payment upfront; it therefore advises adequate insurance and accessible funds for treatment, evacuation and repatriation.

Before booking, check whether your policy covers the activities on your itinerary, including safari drives, hiking, water activities and remote-area travel. Share relevant medical information with your insurer and carry emergency contact details. If you have a chronic condition, are pregnant, are immunocompromised or take regular medication, discuss the trip with your doctor before departure; the FCDO specifically highlights the importance of healthcare planning for travellers with health conditions or pregnancy.

Medication rules and what to pack

Take enough prescribed medication for the trip and keep it in its original packaging with the prescription or a doctor’s letter. The supplied research does not establish a single Malawi-wide rule for every prescription medicine, so confirm requirements for your specific medicines with the relevant Malawian authorities and your doctor before travelling.

Pack a basic medical kit suited to your itinerary. The FCDO advises carrying basic medical supplies because facilities outside major centres may not provide the same standard of care as in the UK, while the FCDO’s Malawi guidance notes that rural facilities are basic and emergency services are limited.

• Prescribed medicines and copies of prescriptions.
• Vaccination records and the ICVP if yellow fever documentation applies.
• Insect repellent and clothing that helps reduce exposed skin.
• Basic first-aid supplies and hand sanitiser.
• Travel insurance details and emergency contacts.

Ask a clinician or pharmacist whether any non-prescription medicines are appropriate for you. Do not begin, stop or change malaria medication or other treatment without professional advice.

Health facilities and emergencies in Malawi

Healthcare capacity varies across Malawi. The FCDO states that general medical facilities cannot provide the same standard of healthcare as facilities in the UK, that rural facilities are basic, and that emergency services are limited.

The FCDO lists 998 as Malawi’s emergency medical number and advises callers to ask for an ambulance, but it also warns that emergency numbers are unreliable. Ask your lodge, hotel, driver or local contact about the best local response arrangements as soon as you arrive, especially if travelling in a remote safari area.

Contact your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility. The FCDO advises travellers to do this and to ensure they have accessible funds because many medical facilities expect payment upfront.

Planning your health arrangements alongside your safari route can help you understand where you may be far from medical care. Travellers can compare safari packages on SafariFind, then discuss the selected route with a travel-health professional before confirming activities and remote-area stays.

Before you travel: a practical checklist

• Confirm whether your route includes a country with yellow fever transmission risk or a qualifying transit of more than 12 hours.
• Book a travel-health consultation at least eight weeks before departure where possible.
• Review typhoid and hepatitis A vaccination with a clinician.
• Arrange malaria prevention and chemoprophylaxis advice for the whole itinerary.
• Carry vaccination records and the ICVP if the yellow fever rule applies.
• Buy insurance covering treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation.
• Pack prescribed medicines, basic medical supplies, repellent and emergency contacts.
• Recheck official Malawi entry and health guidance immediately before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do French citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Malawi?

Not generally when travelling directly from France, but Malawi requires a certificate for travellers aged 1 or older arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country or after a qualifying transit of more than 12 hours through one.

Does a transit airport count for Malawi’s yellow fever rule?

Yes, a transit can count when the traveller spends more than 12 hours in an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Check the complete itinerary, including long layovers and transfers that may involve immigration.

Is yellow fever vaccination recommended for travel to Malawi?

The CDC does not recommend yellow fever vaccination solely for travel to Malawi, although vaccination may be necessary to satisfy Malawi’s entry rule when arriving from a risk country or after a qualifying transit.

How long is the yellow fever certificate valid for Malawi?

The CDC states that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations.

Which vaccines are recommended for French travellers to Malawi?

The CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers and hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers younger than 60; unvaccinated travellers aged 60 or older may also be vaccinated after individual assessment.

How far in advance should I get Malawi travel vaccinations?

The FCDO advises checking the latest vaccine recommendations at least eight weeks before travelling to Malawi. A clinic can use that time to review your records and assess itinerary-specific needs.

Is malaria a risk throughout Malawi?

Yes, the NIPH reports malaria risk throughout Malawi year-round and recommends mosquito-bite prevention and chemoprophylaxis.

Do I need malaria tablets for a Malawi safari?

Discuss preventive malaria medication with a travel-health professional because the NIPH recommends chemoprophylaxis for Malawi, while the appropriate medicine depends on your health and itinerary.

What health insurance do I need for Malawi?

Choose insurance that covers local medical treatment, medical evacuation and repatriation. The FCDO reports that rural facilities are basic, emergency services are limited and many facilities expect upfront payment.

What is the emergency medical number in Malawi?

The FCDO lists 998 and advises asking for an ambulance, but warns that emergency numbers are unreliable. Ask your accommodation or local operator about the best emergency arrangements for the area you are visiting.