What Vaccinations Does Zambia Require from Norway in 2026?

Quick answer: Norwegian citizens travelling directly from Norway to Zambia generally do not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate under the route-based rule. Zambia requires proof for travellers aged 1 year or older arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including travellers who spend more than 12 hours in transit at an airport in such a country. Yellow fever vaccination is generally not recommended for Zambia itself, including North-Western and Western provinces, according to the destination guidance cited here.

For health protection, ask a travel-health clinician to review your routine vaccinations, hepatitis A, typhoid and any itinerary-specific vaccines. Zambia has malaria risk, so travellers should arrange an individual malaria assessment and use mosquito-bite precautions. Requirements can depend on your complete flight itinerary rather than your nationality alone.

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

Yellow fever certificate rules for Norwegian travellers

Yellow fever is the main vaccination-related entry issue for a Norway-to-Zambia journey. The requirement is based on where you have travelled from and where you have transited, not simply on holding a Norwegian passport. Zambia requires a yellow fever certificate for travellers aged 1 year or older who arrive from a country with risk of yellow fever virus transmission. The same requirement applies after a transit or layover of more than 12 hours at an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk.

A direct journey from Norway does not fit those stated risk-country or long-transit conditions. Norway is not identified in the supplied research as a yellow-fever-risk country, and the WHO material lists Zambia itself as a country where yellow fever vaccination is generally not recommended. Nevertheless, check every connection before departure because a route through a risk country can change the documentation required at the Zambian border.

Travel situation	Yellow fever certificate position
Direct travel from Norway	The supplied research does not identify a certificate requirement for this route; confirm the current rule against your itinerary before travel.
Arrival from a country with yellow fever transmission risk	Required for travellers aged 1 year or older.
More than 12 hours in transit at an airport in a yellow-fever-risk country	Required for travellers aged 1 year or older.
Transit of 12 hours or less	The cited rule specifies transit of more than 12 hours; confirm the application to your exact airport and itinerary.

When proof is required, carry the recognised International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, known as an ICVP. The certificate can show vaccination or a medical waiver. Under the International Health Regulations, a completed ICVP is considered valid for the lifetime of the vaccinated person; the previous international booster requirement was removed in 2016.

Do not assume that a vaccination record from a regular Norwegian appointment is automatically the document accepted at the border. If your route triggers the requirement, ask an authorised vaccination centre about the ICVP and verify the documentation before departure. A medical waiver may be relevant when yellow fever vaccination is contraindicated, but border authorities may require the recognised certificate format.

Recommended vaccinations for a Zambia trip from Norway

Entry requirements and health recommendations are different. Zambia's cited entry rule concerns yellow fever and specific previous travel, while a clinician may recommend other vaccines to reduce health risks during a safari, city stay or rural visit. The decision should reflect your medical history, activities, accommodation, trip length and destinations within Zambia.

Routine vaccinations

Start by asking your clinician to check whether your routine vaccinations are up to date. The supplied research does not provide a Norwegian routine-vaccine schedule or a current Zambia-specific list for every traveller, so this article does not assign a universal vaccine package. Bring your vaccination record to the appointment, particularly if you are unsure about previous doses or have a condition affecting immunity.

Hepatitis A

The CDC Yellow Book recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers aged 1 year or older going to Zambia. Infants aged 6–11 months may also be advised to receive a dose in relevant travel circumstances, but that early dose does not count towards the routine two-dose series.

The same CDC guidance says that travellers who cannot receive a vaccine component may be given immune globulin, while some higher-risk adults departing for a risk area in less than two weeks may receive the first vaccine dose and immune globulin at the same appointment. Those decisions require a clinician's assessment; do not self-select an alternative schedule.

Typhoid

Typhoid is listed among the vaccines considered for travellers to Zambia in the cited travel-health research. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on food and water exposure, rural travel, trip duration and individual health factors. Ask for advice rather than treating typhoid vaccination as an automatic Zambian entry requirement.

Rabies, hepatitis B and other itinerary-specific vaccines

The research identifies rabies and hepatitis B as selective considerations for some Zambia travellers. These may be relevant if your plans involve animals, remote travel, healthcare work, potential exposure to blood or body fluids, or limited access to post-exposure care. Your clinician can decide whether pre-travel vaccination is appropriate.

If you are planning a walking or remote safari, review your route and access to medical care as part of the appointment. You can also compare walking safari options in Zambia while checking how far each camp is from a major population centre.

When should Norwegian travellers arrange vaccinations?

Arrange a travel-health appointment as soon as your Zambia itinerary is confirmed. The supplied sources do not establish one universal number of weeks for every vaccine or traveller, so a clinician should determine the schedule if you are leaving soon, starting a course late, pregnant, immunocompromised, travelling with children or managing a chronic condition.

Take the following information to the appointment:

• Your complete flight route, including connection airports and planned layovers.
• Your Zambia destinations, including national parks, Western Province or North-Western Province.
• Whether you will camp, walk, visit villages, handle animals or travel far from medical facilities.
• Your vaccination record, medical history, allergies and current medicines.
• The ages and health circumstances of everyone travelling in your group.

For a broader trip-planning checklist, use the guidance in the seven checks for comparing Zambia safari packages. The same itinerary details that affect a safari booking can affect health advice.

Malaria in Zambia: risk, prophylaxis and prevention

Malaria is identified as a significant and widespread travel-health risk in Zambia in the cited research. The correct prevention plan depends on your itinerary and personal health circumstances; arrange a malaria assessment before departure rather than assuming that a vaccine will protect you. The research states that there is no malaria vaccine for travellers and that preventive medicines may be advised for at-risk areas.

A clinician may consider antimalarial options such as atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine, but the appropriate medicine and schedule depend on medical history, contraindications, interactions and destination. The cited CDC material specifically warns that tafenoquine can cause potentially life-threatening haemolysis in people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and says quantitative G6PD testing is needed before it is prescribed.

Medication does not replace bite prevention. Pack insect repellent containing an appropriate active ingredient, wear clothing that covers exposed skin and use a mosquito net where necessary. The travel-health material also recommends mosquito-bite precautions even when antimalarial medicines are taken.

Ask your clinician what symptoms should prompt urgent medical attention during and after your trip. Fever after travel to a malaria-risk area should be treated as a reason to seek medical advice promptly, but the supplied research does not provide a Zambia-specific emergency number or a guaranteed testing location.

Health documents and travel insurance

Carry a copy of your vaccination record and, if your route requires it, your ICVP. Keep these documents accessible during transit rather than placing them only in checked luggage. An ICVP is the document described in the cited guidance for showing yellow fever vaccination or a medical waiver.

Travel insurance should be checked before departure for medical treatment, evacuation, pre-existing conditions, safari activities and cancellation cover. The research does not provide a standard insurance policy or a universal level of cover, so read the policy wording and confirm whether remote camps and adventure activities are included.

Save your insurer's assistance details offline. If you are comparing trip costs, remember that the cheapest package may not include every transfer, activity or medical-support arrangement. SafariFind lets travellers compare Zambia safari packages, but health cover and vaccination costs should be checked separately with the relevant providers.

Medication rules and what to pack

Bring enough prescribed medication for your planned stay and keep it in its original packaging with the prescription or a doctor's letter where appropriate. The cited travel-health guidance advises travellers to have prescriptions ready because customs officials may ask to see them and to carry a supply sufficient for the whole stay.

Do not assume that a medicine available in Norway will be available in every Zambian destination. The cited country information says comprehensive medical facilities are available mainly in major population centres and specific private clinics, and that sterile surgical products are not always available.

A practical health kit can include:

• Prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions.
• Insect repellent and suitable clothing for mosquito avoidance.
• A mosquito net if your accommodation may not supply one.
• Basic first-aid supplies and hand hygiene products.
• Sun protection and any personal medical devices.
• Contact details for your insurer and Norwegian healthcare provider.

The supplied research recommends carrying an advanced first-aid kit because sterile equipment may not always be available. Whether you should carry needles, syringes or other clinical items depends on your clinician's advice and the rules applying to your medicines and destination.

Health facilities and emergencies in Zambia

Medical capacity is not uniform across Zambia. The cited country information states that comprehensive facilities are concentrated in major population centres and specific private clinics. Remote safari areas can therefore require more planning around evacuation, communications, insurance approval and access to prescribed medicines.

Before leaving Norway, ask your safari operator where the nearest suitable clinic or hospital is for each camp, how an evacuation would be initiated and which organisation coordinates medical assistance. Keep your insurer's emergency instructions available offline, and tell your travelling companions about important allergies, conditions and medicines.

Review current official entry and health information again before departure, especially if you add a stopover in another African country. A route change can affect yellow fever documentation even when the original Norway-to-Zambia itinerary did not. If you are also considering another destination, such as a southern African safari, keep each country's entry and health rules separate rather than assuming that Zambia's rules apply elsewhere.

For visa planning, see the separate guide on whether Norwegian citizens need a Zambia visa in 2026. Visa rules and vaccination rules are separate checks, and this article addresses health requirements only.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Norwegian citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Zambia?

Not generally when travelling directly from Norway, based on the route rule in the cited research. Zambia requires proof for travellers aged 1 year or older arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country or transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country.

Does a transit through Africa change Zambia's yellow fever requirement?

It can. A transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk triggers the certificate requirement for travellers aged 1 year or older. Check every airport on your booking before departure.

Is yellow fever vaccination recommended for Zambia?

Yellow fever vaccination is generally not recommended for travel to Zambia in the cited WHO and CDC guidance, including North-Western and Western provinces. The vaccination may still be required for entry when the traveller arrives from a risk country or has a qualifying long transit.

How long is a yellow fever certificate valid for Zambia?

A completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is considered valid for the lifetime of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations. The previous international booster requirement was removed in 2016.

What vaccinations are recommended for a Zambia trip from Norway?

Hepatitis A is recommended for unvaccinated travellers aged 1 year or older in the cited CDC guidance. Typhoid, rabies, hepatitis B and other itinerary-specific vaccines may also be considered, while routine vaccinations should be reviewed with a clinician.

Do I need hepatitis A vaccination for Zambia?

The CDC Yellow Book recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers aged 1 year or older going to Zambia. Infants aged 6–11 months may receive an early dose in relevant circumstances, but that dose does not count towards the routine two-dose series.

Is there malaria in Zambia?

Yes. Malaria is identified as a significant and widespread risk in the cited travel-health research. Ask a clinician whether preventive medicine is suitable for your itinerary and use mosquito-bite precautions.

What malaria tablets can Norwegian travellers take for Zambia?

The cited research lists atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine as possible options, but a clinician must select the medicine and schedule for your health and route. Tafenoquine requires quantitative G6PD testing before prescribing because of the risk of serious haemolysis in people with G6PD deficiency.

What health documents should I carry to Zambia?

Carry your vaccination record and, when your route requires yellow fever proof, the recognised International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. Keep prescription information and your insurer's assistance details accessible during the journey.

How much do Zambia travel vaccinations cost in Norway?

The supplied research does not provide a reliable current Norwegian price. Confirm the current fee with an authorised Norwegian travel clinic or vaccination provider, and check whether consultation, vaccine and certificate charges are listed separately.

Do Norwegian citizens need a visa for Zambia?

This health article does not establish the visa position for Norwegian citizens. Visa rules are separate from vaccination rules, so check the current official Zambian requirement and the dedicated Norwegian-citizen visa guide before travelling.