What Vaccines Does Madagascar Require for New Zealanders in 2026?

Quick answer: New Zealand citizens travelling directly from New Zealand to Madagascar generally do not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Madagascar requires a certificate for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including travellers who spend more than 12 hours transiting through an airport in such a country.

There is no yellow fever transmission risk in Madagascar itself, so yellow fever vaccination is not generally recommended for protection against disease there. New Zealanders should nevertheless review routine vaccinations and discuss hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, polio and malaria prevention with a travel-health clinician.

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

Madagascar vaccination requirements for New Zealanders

Vaccine or precaution	Is it required?	What New Zealand travellers should know
Yellow fever	Only for specific itineraries	Required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country, including qualifying airport transits of more than 12 hours. Direct travel from New Zealand does not generally require a certificate.
Routine vaccinations	Not a Madagascar-specific entry requirement in the research	CDC advises travellers to be up to date with routine vaccines before every trip, including COVID-19 vaccination where eligible.
Hepatitis A	Not identified as an entry requirement	Discuss it with a clinician because food and water exposure is a relevant travel-health consideration.
Typhoid	Not identified as an entry requirement	CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, particularly those visiting smaller cities or rural areas or staying with friends or relatives.
Polio	May be required in some circumstances	UK travel advice says Madagascar can require proof of polio vaccination in some circumstances. Confirm whether this applies to your itinerary before departure.
Rabies	Not identified as an entry requirement	The US State Department advises considering rabies vaccination before travel to Madagascar.
Malaria	Not a vaccine requirement	Malaria prevention can involve prescription medication and mosquito-bite precautions; discuss the correct option for your route with a clinician.

Requirements can depend on your complete route rather than your passport alone. If you are travelling through Africa or another yellow-fever-risk region before Madagascar, ask your airline and travel clinic to check every airport, including separate-ticket connections and overnight layovers. CDC guidance says the full itinerary should be considered when assessing yellow fever entry requirements.

Yellow fever certificate rules, including transit

Madagascar has no yellow fever risk according to NaTHNaC, but it maintains a certificate requirement for certain incoming travellers. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 9 months arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk or transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country.

The CDC gives the same practical threshold: travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with yellow fever transmission risk must show vaccination evidence, and the rule includes airport transits or layovers lasting more than 12 hours in a risk country.

For a traveller flying directly from New Zealand, a certificate is generally not required. Travelvax specifically lists direct travel from Australia or New Zealand as exempt from the certificate requirement. This is an itinerary-based conclusion, so it may change if your ticket includes a qualifying transit.

The certificate is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called an ICVP. CDC guidance states that a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person under the International Health Regulations and that countries should not require a routine yellow fever booster as a condition of entry. Keep the original certificate with your passport and confirm acceptance with the official Madagascar authorities or your airline before flying.

One published government source is less specific: the US State Department describes yellow fever as “required for travelers” to Madagascar. The destination-specific CDC and NaTHNaC guidance explains the condition more precisely: the requirement applies when arriving from, or transiting through, a yellow-fever-risk country.

Recommended vaccinations and when to arrange them

Book a travel-health consultation well before departure. UK travel advice recommends checking vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before a Madagascar trip. Earlier medical advice may be useful if you need a multi-dose course, have a chronic condition, are pregnant, take regular medication or are considering a vaccine with individual contraindications.

Routine vaccines

CDC advises all travellers to make sure routine vaccinations are up to date before every trip. The CDC list includes routine immunisation schedules and COVID-19 vaccination information, and advises eligible travellers to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Ask your New Zealand healthcare provider to review your immunisation record rather than assuming childhood doses are sufficient for your age and medical history.

Hepatitis A and typhoid

Hepatitis A is commonly discussed for travel where food and water exposure may occur, but the supplied official research does not specify a Madagascar entry requirement or a universal schedule. Your clinician can assess whether vaccination is appropriate for your accommodation, food choices and itinerary.

CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers to Madagascar, particularly people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. A safari involving remote lodges, village visits or extended time outside major urban areas is a reason to raise typhoid vaccination during your consultation, although it does not replace careful food and water precautions.

Polio

UK travel advice states that Madagascar requires a polio vaccine certificate in some circumstances. The supplied research does not define every circumstance, so do not rely on a generic internet checklist. Ask a New Zealand travel-health clinic to check your previous polio doses, destination route and current Madagascar entry advice.

Rabies

The US State Department advises travellers to consider rabies vaccination before travelling to Madagascar. Discuss pre-exposure vaccination particularly if your trip involves substantial animal contact, remote travel or activities where reaching medical care could be difficult. A vaccination decision should be based on your itinerary and personal risk factors.

Chikungunya and mosquito-borne illness

CDC recommends mosquito-bite prevention for all travellers to Madagascar and says chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended, although unvaccinated travellers aged one year or older going to Madagascar are identified in its travel-health guidance as a group for whom vaccination may be considered. Ask a clinician to interpret this recommendation for your health profile and travel plans; vaccination does not replace repellent, protective clothing and accommodation-based mosquito controls.

Malaria in Madagascar: risk areas, medication and prevention

Malaria is reported throughout Madagascar, and anti-malarial medication is recommended in the supplied travel-health research. The appropriate medicine depends on your itinerary, length of stay and individual medical needs.

Do not choose malaria tablets solely by reading a packing list. A medical practitioner should match the prescription to your destinations, season, other medicines, pregnancy status, allergies and medical history. Ask specifically whether your route includes rural areas, coastal regions, national parks or remote safari camps.

Malaria prevention has two parts: any prescribed chemoprophylaxis and consistent mosquito-bite avoidance. CDC advises all travellers to take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Use the repellent and protective measures recommended by your clinician, sleep in accommodation with effective screening or mosquito protection where available, and follow the medication instructions exactly.

Fever during or after a Madagascar trip needs prompt medical attention because malaria can become serious. Tell the clinician that you have travelled in Madagascar and disclose when you returned. The research supplied here does not provide a universal post-travel monitoring period, so obtain individual advice before departure.

Health documents and travel insurance

Carry your vaccination record and, if your route triggers the rule, your original yellow fever ICVP. CDC says travellers must comply with entry requirements by showing an ICVP containing vaccination evidence or a medical waiver. Check that names and passport details are consistent across your travel documents before departure.

Review your travel insurance for medical treatment, hospital care, evacuation and activities included in your safari. UK travel advice says to contact your insurer quickly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment. Keep the insurer’s emergency contact details accessible offline as well as on your phone.

Health planning is one part of organising a safari. Once your medical itinerary is clear, you can compare safari packages on SafariFind and check what transport, accommodation and activities are included. For a broader planning view, see what a $3,000 Madagascar safari trip includes in 2026.

Medication rules and what to pack

Take enough regular medication for the trip and keep it in its original labelled packaging. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether your medicines are permitted in Madagascar and whether you need a letter or prescription copy; the supplied research does not provide a complete Madagascar medication list or a universal documentation rule.

Pack your vaccination record, yellow fever certificate if applicable, prescription details, travel-insurance information and the malaria medication prescribed for your itinerary. A basic personal kit should reflect your clinician’s advice and the remoteness of your safari route rather than a one-size-fits-all list.

Madagascar travel advice says tap water is unsafe and recommends drinking and using only boiled or bottled water and avoiding ice in drinks. These precautions are relevant when planning what to carry between lodges and during road transfers.

If you are entering Madagascar from a cholera-affected country, airport authorities may ask you to take an anti-cholera drug, identified in UK advice as doxycycline. The same advice says alternative medication should be offered to pregnant people, children under 8 and people with a pre-existing medical condition, and that health authorities may request contact details for follow-up after 3–5 days. This rule is linked to the country you are arriving from, not simply to being a New Zealand citizen, so verify it against your current route.

Health facilities and emergencies in Madagascar

Medical access can vary substantially by location, so discuss your planned destinations with your insurer and travel-health provider before leaving. The supplied official advice does not provide a nationwide quality rating or a single tourist emergency number; use your accommodation, tour operator, insurer or local authorities to identify the nearest appropriate facility if you become seriously unwell.

Seek medical care promptly for fever, severe diarrhoea, dehydration, breathing difficulty, confusion, serious injury or an animal bite. Tell medical staff about your travel route, recent mosquito exposure, medications and vaccination history. After an animal bite or scratch, obtain urgent professional advice about rabies exposure, even if the wound appears minor.

For trip-planning context, a longer itinerary may combine remote wildlife areas with the coast, as described in this 10-day Madagascar safari and beach holiday example. The more remote your route, the more important it is to discuss evacuation cover, malaria prevention and access to care before booking.

Important: This article is informational content, not legal or medical advice. Entry rules and health recommendations can change, and your healthcare provider must assess your personal circumstances. Confirm current requirements with the official Madagascar authorities, your airline, New Zealand health authorities and a qualified travel-health clinician before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do New Zealander citizens need a yellow fever certificate for Madagascar?

New Zealanders travelling directly from New Zealand generally do not need a yellow fever certificate. A certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country or transiting through one for more than 12 hours.

Can a transit in Africa trigger Madagascar’s yellow fever requirement?

Yes, a transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in a yellow-fever-risk country can trigger the requirement. Check the complete itinerary, including long layovers and separate tickets, before departure.

Is yellow fever vaccination recommended for Madagascar?

Yellow fever vaccination is not generally recommended for protection against yellow fever in Madagascar because there is no yellow fever risk in the country. It may still be required administratively if your itinerary includes a yellow-fever-risk country.

How far in advance should New Zealanders arrange Madagascar travel vaccines?

Arrange a travel-health consultation at least 8 weeks before departure where possible. Earlier advice may be useful if you need several doses or an assessment of personal medical risks.

Which vaccines are recommended for a Madagascar safari?

CDC recommends being up to date with routine vaccines and recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, especially those visiting rural areas or smaller cities. Hepatitis A, polio, rabies and other vaccines may be discussed according to your itinerary and medical history.

Is malaria present in Madagascar?

Malaria is reported throughout Madagascar, and anti-malarial medication is recommended in the supplied travel-health research. The correct prescription depends on your route, length of stay and personal circumstances.

Do I need malaria tablets for a Madagascar safari?

You may need prescription malaria prevention for a safari, because malaria is present throughout the country. A medical practitioner should decide which medicine is suitable for your itinerary and health history.

Is tap water safe to drink in Madagascar?

UK travel advice says tap water in Madagascar is unsafe. Drink and use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.

Can Madagascar require a polio vaccination certificate?

Yes, UK travel advice says Madagascar requires proof of polio vaccination in some circumstances. The supplied research does not define all qualifying situations, so confirm the rule for your route before travel.

What happens if I enter Madagascar from a cholera-affected country?

Airport authorities may ask you to take an anti-cholera drug, identified in UK advice as doxycycline. Alternatives should be offered to pregnant people, children under 8 and those with a pre-existing medical condition, and follow-up contact may occur after 3–5 days.