Planning a trip to Egypt? Most UK travellers are advised to be up to date with Hepatitis A and their Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio booster, with Typhoid, Hepatitis B and Rabies considered depending on your plans. Crewe Travel Clinic can confirm exactly what you need at a personal travel health consultation.
For Egypt, UK travellers are usually advised to be up to date with Hepatitis A, Typhoid and a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio booster, with Hepatitis B and Rabies considered depending on your trip. There is no malaria risk and no yellow fever risk in Egypt, although a yellow fever certificate is required if you arrive from a country where the disease is present. Crewe Travel Clinic can review your itinerary and confirm exactly which vaccines you need at a personal consultation in Crewe, Cheshire.
Egypt is one of the most popular long-haul destinations for travellers from Crewe and across Cheshire, whether you are heading to Cairo and the Pyramids, taking a Nile cruise, diving in the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, or exploring the temples of Luxor and Aswan. The combination of ancient history, desert landscapes and warm coastal resorts makes it a year-round favourite, but the change in climate, food and water means it is worth preparing your health before you go.
We recommend booking a travel health consultation around six to eight weeks before departure, as some vaccines are given as a course or need time to take effect. That said, last-minute appointments are still worthwhile, as protection can often be started quickly. At Crewe Travel Clinic our nurse will review your itinerary, medical history, planned activities and previous vaccinations, then tailor a plan to you. The advice below is general guidance based on UK recommendations from TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC) and the NHS, and your final vaccine list is always confirmed at your appointment.
Spread through contaminated food and water, which is a genuine risk in Egypt, so this vaccine is advised for almost all travellers.
Most UK adults benefit from a combined booster if it has been ten years or more since their last dose, as polio and diphtheria still circulate in some regions.
Recommended for the majority of travellers given the way it spreads via contaminated food and water, particularly where sanitation may be variable.
Considered for longer stays, those who may need medical or dental care, and anyone whose activities could risk contact with blood or bodily fluids.
Rabies is present in Egypt, so pre-exposure vaccination is advised for longer trips, remote travel, work with animals, or where prompt medical treatment may be hard to reach.
Only considered for higher-risk situations such as aid or relief work, or travel to areas with poor sanitation and limited access to safe water.
There is no risk of malaria in Egypt. In 2024 the World Health Organization officially declared Egypt malaria-free, so antimalarial tablets are not required. You should still practise sensible insect-bite avoidance, however, as mosquitoes can transmit other illnesses such as dengue and West Nile virus.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Egypt itself, so the vaccine is not needed for health protection. However, Egypt does require a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers aged nine months and over who are arriving from, or who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. If you are flying to Egypt directly from the UK this will not apply, but if your journey involves parts of sub-Saharan Africa or South America, check with us so you can carry the correct certificate.
Check yellow fever certificate requirementsFood and water hygiene is the single most useful precaution for Egypt. Stick to bottled or properly treated water, avoid ice and unpasteurised dairy, eat food that is freshly and thoroughly cooked, and peel fruit yourself to reduce the risk of travellers' diarrhoea, Hepatitis A and typhoid. It is sensible to pack rehydration sachets and a basic travel health kit. Cover up and use an effective insect repellent containing DEET both day and night, as mosquitoes and sandflies in Egypt can spread dengue, West Nile virus and leishmaniasis. Because rabies is present, avoid touching or feeding dogs, cats and other animals, and if you are bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical advice straight away even if you have been vaccinated. The desert heat means sun protection, hats and staying well hydrated are important, and divers in the Red Sea should be mindful of marine stings and diving safety.