Cameroon

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for entry

Cameroon requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving travelers aged 1 year and older, regardless of where they travel from. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card). Plan ahead: the vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival to be valid, and in Switzerland it is only available at approved yellow-fever vaccination centres.

CDC / WHO IHR yellow fever requirements ↗ · Updated 2026

Meningitis belt — far-north regions

Northern Cameroon lies in the African meningitis belt, where meningococcal disease risk rises during the dry season (roughly December to June). Meningococcal vaccination (ACWY) is recommended for travel to these regions, especially for longer stays or close contact with the local population.

CDC / EKRM ↗ · Updated 2026

Recent alerts

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip — per the Swiss BAG schedule. These include:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap)
• Influenza (flu)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• COVID-19

Cholera transmission is presumed present. Oral vaccination may be considered for high-risk travelers (humanitarian/healthcare work, prolonged stays in areas with poor sanitation or active outbreaks).

Recommended for all travelers to Cameroon. Note for Swiss travelers: Hepatitis A is not part of the routine Swiss BAG childhood schedule, so most adult travelers will need vaccination.

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers. Routine in the Swiss childhood schedule since 1998, so younger travelers are usually covered; older travelers should check their status.

Recommended (ACWY) for travel to the far-north meningitis belt during the dry season (December–June), and for longer stays or close local contact.

Rabid dogs are common in Cameroon and post-exposure treatment can be hard to obtain outside major cities. Pre-exposure vaccination is recommended for long stays, remote travel, cyclists/bikers, animal workers, and young children.

Recommended for most travelers given widespread food and water exposure, especially those visiting rural areas, staying with friends or relatives, or on longer trips.

Required for entry (certificate checked) AND medically recommended — Cameroon is yellow-fever endemic. Single dose gives lifelong protection; must be given ≥10 days before arrival. In Switzerland, available only at approved yellow-fever vaccination centres.