Sierra Leone

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for entry

Sierra Leone requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving travelers aged 9 months and older. The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival to be valid. Swiss travelers must receive it at an approved yellow fever vaccination center and carry the international certificate (carnet jaune).

CDC Travelers' Health / WHO ↗ · Updated 2026

Lassa fever, Ebola history, and mpox

Lassa fever is endemic in Sierra Leone (spread via food or surfaces contaminated by infected rodents), and the country had major Ebola transmission during the 2014–2016 West African outbreak. Clade II mpox activity is ongoing in the region (CDC Level 2). Avoid contact with rodents, bushmeat, and sick people; standard travelers are at low risk, while health and aid workers should take specific precautions.

EKRM / CDC ↗ · Updated 2026

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 aid/health workers, those staying in areas with poor sanitation or active outbreaks, or with individual risk factors. Oral vaccine (Dukoral) per EKRM guidance.

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

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

Sierra Leone borders the African meningitis belt. Quadrivalent (ACWY) vaccination is worth considering for travel during the dry season (December–June), for longer stays, and for close contact with the local population.

Recommended for longer stays, remote travel with limited medical access, cyclists/motorcyclists, children, and anyone working with animals. Post-exposure rabies immunoglobulin is often unavailable locally, which strengthens the case for pre-exposure vaccination.

Recommended for essentially all travelers given high exposure through food and water, particularly outside major hotels, in rural areas, or when visiting friends and relatives.

Required for entry AND medically recommended for all travelers ≥9 months. Give at least 10 days before travel at a Swiss-approved YF center; carry the international certificate.