Mali

Yellow fever vaccination required for entry

Mali requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving travelers aged 9 months and older, regardless of country of departure — including travelers coming directly from Switzerland. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow card). The vaccine must be given at a licensed Swiss yellow fever vaccination centre at least 10 days before travel.

CDC / WHO International Health Regulations ↗ · Updated 2026

Meningitis belt — seasonal meningococcal risk

Mali lies in the African meningitis belt. Epidemics of meningococcal disease occur during the dry season, roughly December to June. Meningococcal vaccination (quadrivalent ACWY) is recommended for travelers visiting during this period, for longer stays, and for 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

Consider for travelers going to areas of active transmission, aid/relief workers, and those staying in conditions with poor water and sanitation.

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

Recommended per individual risk and stay duration. Routine in the Swiss childhood schedule since 1998 — younger travelers are usually covered.

Quadrivalent ACWY vaccination recommended for travel during the dry season (December–June), for longer stays, and for close contact with the local population — Mali is in the meningitis belt.

Consider pre-exposure vaccination for longer stays, rural travel, cyclists/motorbike riders, those working with animals, and children. Dogs are commonly infected and post-exposure treatment can be hard to obtain locally.

Recommended for most travelers to Mali, especially those visiting friends and relatives, staying in rural areas, or in poor hygienic conditions.

Required for entry and medically recommended for all travelers aged 9 months and older (except those whose itinerary is limited to the Sahara Desert). Single dose gives lifelong protection; must be given at a licensed Swiss YF centre ≥10 days before arrival.