What Vaccines Does Madagascar Require in 2026 for Norwegians?

Quick answer: Madagascar does not recommend yellow fever vaccination for travel to the country, and a yellow fever certificate is not required when travelling directly from a country without yellow fever transmission risk. However, travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk must show proof of vaccination, including after a transit or layover of more than 12 hours in such a country.

For Norwegian citizens, the key issue is your complete route rather than your passport alone. Before departure, review routine vaccinations with a healthcare professional, ask about hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies according to your itinerary, and discuss malaria prevention if you will travel outside Antananarivo.

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

Madagascar vaccination requirements for Norwegian travellers

The table below separates vaccinations that may be required at the border from those that may be recommended for personal health protection. Madagascar’s yellow fever rule is conditional: it is triggered by arrival from, or a qualifying transit through, a country with yellow fever transmission risk. It is not triggered simply because the traveller is Norwegian.

Vaccine or precaution	Madagascar entry requirement	Travel-health guidance
Yellow fever	Required for travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country, including a transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in such a country.	CDC says vaccination is not recommended for travel to Madagascar itself.
Routine vaccinations	No Madagascar-specific entry requirement is identified in the supplied official guidance.	Check that routine vaccinations are current with a healthcare professional before travel.
Typhoid	Not identified as a border-entry requirement in the supplied guidance.	CDC recommends considering it for most travellers, especially those visiting smaller cities or rural areas or staying with friends or relatives.
Rabies	Not identified as a border-entry requirement.	Discuss pre-exposure vaccination if activities increase animal-contact risk or prompt post-exposure treatment may be difficult to access.
Malaria	There is no malaria vaccination entry rule identified in the supplied guidance.	Malaria prevention requires itinerary-specific medical advice, mosquito precautions and possibly prescription prophylaxis.

These health rules are separate from immigration requirements. If you also need to check entry permission, see the guide to the Madagascar visa for Norwegian citizens in 2026.

Yellow fever certificate rules for Madagascar

When Norwegian travellers need proof

Madagascar requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 9 months or over who arrive from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. The same rule applies to travellers who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with that risk.

A direct itinerary from Norway therefore does not automatically create a yellow fever certificate requirement under the supplied official guidance. The result can change if your airline route includes a qualifying stop in a yellow-fever-risk country, so check every airport and transit duration before departure.

The CDC advises travellers to meet the entry rule by presenting an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called an ICVP or yellow card, showing vaccination or a medical waiver. Keep the certificate with your passport and travel documents if your itinerary falls within the rule.

Transit and long layovers

The transit rule is based on more than 12 hours at an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk. A short connection may therefore be treated differently from a long layover, but the practical outcome can depend on the exact itinerary and border procedures. Confirm the current interpretation with Madagascar’s official authorities and your airline before travelling.

Certificate validity

The CDC states that a completed ICVP is valid for the life of the vaccinated person, and that countries may not require a yellow fever booster as a condition of entry under the International Health Regulations. Carry the original certificate or the currently accepted official document, and ask a travel-health provider whether a medical waiver is appropriate if vaccination is medically unsuitable.

Recommended vaccinations and timing

There is no single vaccine schedule for every Norwegian visitor. A city break, a remote wildlife itinerary and a longer rural trip can expose you to different risks. FCDO guidance recommends checking vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks before travel.

Routine vaccinations

Use a pre-travel appointment to review your routine vaccination record and discuss any catch-up doses that may be relevant to your age, medical history and destination activities. The supplied guidance does not provide a complete Norwegian vaccination schedule, so your healthcare professional should use your Norwegian records and current national advice.

Hepatitis A and typhoid

Food- and water-related infections are a practical concern in Madagascar. CDC lists typhoid as recommended for most travellers, particularly people staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. Other travel-health providers commonly discuss hepatitis A and typhoid for Madagascar, but the decision should be based on current Norwegian travel-health advice and your personal itinerary rather than treating either as an automatic entry requirement.

Food and water precautions remain important even if you are vaccinated. UK government guidance says tap water in Madagascar is unsafe and recommends drinking and using boiled or bottled water and avoiding ice in drinks.

Rabies

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination is worth discussing if you expect contact with animals, will take part in activities that increase exposure risk, or might have difficulty reaching safe post-exposure treatment promptly. CDC specifically advises consulting a healthcare provider about these factors.

Do not handle unfamiliar dogs, cats, bats or other mammals. If you are bitten or scratched, seek medical care urgently; a pre-travel vaccine does not remove the need for post-exposure assessment.

Other vaccines

The supplied official sources do not establish a universal Madagascar entry requirement for COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis B, polio or other routine and travel vaccines for Norwegian citizens. Ask a clinician to assess these based on your health, trip length, accommodation, activities and current official Norwegian and Malagasy guidance. Confirm any current COVID-19 documentation or testing rule on the official Madagascar entry portal before departure.

Malaria in Madagascar: risk areas, prophylaxis and prevention

WHO reports malaria risk throughout the year across the entire country, with the highest risk in coastal areas. This makes malaria planning particularly relevant for beach trips, coastal parks, rural areas and many safari itineraries. The supplied WHO extract does not identify a malaria-free area that can be treated as safe for every traveller or every season.

Ask a travel-health clinician whether prescription malaria prophylaxis is appropriate for your route. The choice depends on factors such as destination, duration, existing conditions, pregnancy status, other medicines and possible contraindications; do not start or stop a prescription without medical advice.

Prevent mosquito bites throughout the trip:

• Use an effective insect repellent according to its product instructions.
• Wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, especially around dusk and at night.
• Use screened or air-conditioned accommodation where available.
• Sleep under a mosquito net where appropriate.
• Seek medical advice promptly for fever during or after travel and mention your Madagascar itinerary.

Malaria is only one mosquito-borne concern. UK government health guidance also lists dengue and other health risks in Madagascar, so bite prevention remains useful even when a traveller has taken malaria medicine.

When comparing Madagascar safari routes in 2026, use the route details to prepare your health appointment: coastal and rural travel may require a different malaria discussion from a short stay in Antananarivo.

Health documents and travel insurance

If your route triggers Madagascar’s yellow fever rule, bring the required ICVP or an accepted medical waiver. Check that names and passport details are consistent across your documents, and keep health records accessible during airport transfers.

FCDO advises travellers to confirm that their destination can provide the healthcare they may need and to obtain suitable travel insurance for local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. This is especially important if you have a pre-existing condition or are pregnant.

Before booking a remote itinerary, ask your operator what medical support is available, how evacuation would work and whether the policy covers the activities you plan to do. You can also compare what Madagascar safari packages should include, including the practical services that may matter when travelling far from major hospitals.

Travel insurance does not replace medical advice or vaccination. Check exclusions, emergency-assistance procedures, pre-existing-condition rules and evacuation limits before travelling.

Medication rules and what to pack

Medication regulations can differ between countries. FCDO advises travellers to check the legal status and regulation of medicines prescribed or bought in the UK before travel; the same principle applies to medicines carried from Norway.

• Ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether your medicines are permitted in Madagascar.
• Carry medicines in their original labelled packaging.
• Bring a copy of your prescription and a letter describing essential medicines, particularly for controlled or injectable products.
• Pack enough for the planned trip and allow for delays, subject to customs rules.
• Keep important medicines in hand luggage according to airline and medical guidance.

The supplied research does not provide Madagascar-specific import limits, required forms or fees for Norwegian medicines. Confirm those details with the official Malagasy authority or embassy before departure rather than relying on a generic medication list.

A practical health kit can include repellent, sun protection, hand hygiene supplies, oral rehydration products and basic first-aid items. These are packing suggestions, not substitutes for a clinician’s advice or treatment.

Health facilities and emergencies in Madagascar

Medical care can be limited outside the main centres. FCDO reports that public and private hospitals in Antananarivo can handle routine operations but that complex surgery may require transfer to Mauritius, South Africa or Réunion. This is why evacuation cover, accessible funds and a clear emergency-assistance plan matter for remote safari and island itineraries.

For an ambulance in Madagascar, FCDO lists 117 from a mobile phone and 17 from a landline. Save your insurer’s emergency number and your accommodation’s contact details before leaving for rural areas.

Tell your safari operator about relevant medical conditions, allergies and medication needs before departure. For broader itinerary planning, the Madagascar first-timer safari guide can help you understand how destination style and route affect preparation; travellers can also compare safari packages on SafariFind.

Madagascar travel health requirements can change, and airline staff may check documents before boarding. Recheck official Malagasy entry information, current Norwegian travel-health advice, CDC or WHO guidance where relevant, and your airline’s requirements shortly before departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Norwegian citizens need a yellow fever vaccine for Madagascar?

Not automatically. Madagascar requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, including a transit of more than 12 hours through such a country; CDC says vaccination is not recommended for travel to Madagascar itself.

Does a transit through a yellow-fever-risk country trigger the Madagascar certificate rule?

Yes, a transit of more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with yellow fever transmission risk can trigger Madagascar’s certificate requirement for travellers aged 9 months and over. Check the complete itinerary with the airline and official Malagasy authorities.

Is a yellow fever certificate valid for life?

The CDC states that a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is valid for the life of the vaccinated person, and that a yellow fever booster cannot be required as a condition of entry under the International Health Regulations.

How early should Norwegians arrange travel vaccinations for Madagascar?

Start checking your vaccinations at least 8 weeks before departure. FCDO gives that timeframe for reviewing current vaccine recommendations, while the final schedule should be decided with a healthcare professional.

Is typhoid vaccination recommended for Madagascar?

CDC recommends typhoid vaccination for most travellers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities and rural areas. Typhoid vaccination is not identified as a Madagascar border-entry requirement in the supplied guidance.

Should I get a rabies vaccine before travelling to Madagascar?

Some travellers should consider rabies pre-exposure vaccination, particularly if they expect animal contact or could have difficulty accessing prompt, safe post-exposure treatment. CDC recommends discussing those factors with a healthcare provider.

Is malaria a risk throughout Madagascar?

WHO reports malaria risk throughout Madagascar year-round, with the highest risk in coastal areas. Ask a travel-health clinician whether prophylaxis is suitable for your itinerary and use mosquito-bite prevention measures.

Is tap water safe to drink in Madagascar?

UK government guidance says tap water in Madagascar is unsafe. It recommends drinking and using boiled or bottled water and avoiding ice in drinks.

What health insurance do I need for a Madagascar safari?

Obtain travel insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. FCDO highlights the importance of suitable insurance because complex surgery may require transfer from Madagascar to Mauritius, South Africa or Réunion.

What is the emergency ambulance number in Madagascar?

FCDO lists 117 from a mobile phone and 17 from a landline for an ambulance in Madagascar. Save your insurer’s emergency number as well.