Vaccinations and visa
 

Travelling from Toronto to SA this July.

Vaccinations:

1. I visited my Dr and she seemed to think that Yellow Fever Vaccination is actually required. Ive never heard this before so think she is mistaken-??

2. She also suggested Typhoid/Hep A shots. We already have Hep B. Thoughts?

3. Malaria Pills?

Visas:

I know my passport needs to have pages. I also know that I need my child's (age 15) birth certificate. Do I need anything else in particular? Just staying in South Africa.

Any links to who I would call/search for Visas requirements.

Thanks.

I've been to S Africa five times (just returned) and haven't had any vaccinations. July is dead of winter and according to sathnet (S Africa's CDC), malaria is very low risk in Kruger in winter and malaria meds are not recommended. The rest of the country is malaria free, unless you are going to areas that border neighboring countries (unlikely). S Africa will be 100% malaria free by 2020, if it isn't already.

Your dr is wrong on yf.

I had more shots when I went back to college - those might be useful if you haven't had boosters in a while. As normal travelers to S Africa, very little risk of Hep/Typhoid. If you are going to live in a mud hut in a rural area with little/no sanitation, get them. Otherwise, you are going to a country with first world infrastructure.

Double check the requirements for traveling with a minor. You need more than just a long form bc if traveling without both parents. They are very strict, so don't go without all the required paperwork - they will turn you away at the airport (at your expense).

You need two blank pages left in your passport.

No visa required. See the Canadian embassy website for countries where visas are required.

We are heading to SA at the end of the month. My doctor and my kids' doctor gave the same advice:

1. No yellow fever vaccine needed

2. Yes, we all got the typhoid vaccine and Hep A (kids already had).

3. We got a prescription for malaria pills which we are supposed to start taking 2 days before we go to Kruger continuing until 7 days after.

Hope that helps!

The immigration control are in general strictly enforced now and many airlines do not allow children to board without the relevant documentation.