Nigeria Travel Health and Vaccinations
Mandatory Yellow Fever, year-round malaria, and the West Africa pre-travel jab bundle.
Mandatory Yellow Fever, year-round malaria, and the pre-travel vaccine bundle for Lagos and beyond
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and most populous country — Lagos and the commercial heart, Abuja the capital, the oil-producing Niger Delta, northern Kano and Kaduna, and increasingly diaspora and business travel. The travel-health profile is involved: Yellow Fever certificate mandatory, year-round malaria, meningitis belt considerations for northern travel, and current outbreak surveillance.
At Gunwharf Travel Clinic we run Nigeria pre-travel appointments year-round. A typical appointment is 30 minutes.
Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic, is GPhC-registered (premises 1099145).
For Nigeria you'll typically consider: Yellow Fever certificate (mandatory for entry), Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays, Rabies for rural travel, Meningitis ACWY for northern dry-season travel, and malaria tablets year-round.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
Nigeria mandates Yellow Fever — checked at the airport
Nigeria requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for all travellers aged 9 months and over, regardless of arrival country. Certificate must be at least 10 days old at arrival. Single injection, certificate valid for life. We're a NaTHNaC-designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre and issue the certificate the same appointment.
Malaria — year-round, country-wide
Nigeria has year-round malaria risk across the entire country including Lagos and Abuja. Malaria tablets recommended for essentially all travellers — Malarone for short trips, doxycycline for longer stays. Bite-prevention with DEET, long clothing and treated nets. We prescribe and dispense at the appointment.
The standard pre-travel jab bundle
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, up-to-date Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster, Hepatitis B for longer stays, Rabies for rural travel.
Meningitis belt — the northern consideration
Northern Nigeria sits within the African meningitis belt. From December through June (Harmattan dry season), Meningitis ACWY is recommended for travellers to the northern states (Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno and surrounding areas), particularly long-stay travellers or those mixing closely with local populations.
Outbreak surveillance — the moving picture
Nigeria has periodic outbreaks of Lassa fever (annual, mostly rural), cholera (epidemic in rainy season some years), and polio surveillance is ongoing despite Nigeria having achieved wild-polio-free status. We check current WHO and UK Health Security Agency outbreak status at each appointment and update advice accordingly.
Practical safety beyond vaccines
FCDO travel advice for Nigeria highlights specific area considerations including parts of the north-east and Niger Delta. We discuss this alongside the medical advice. Modern business travel to Lagos and Abuja is routine for many UK travellers; appropriate precautions still apply.
Diaspora travel
A common pattern: Nigerian-British diaspora travellers going home, who underestimate the travel-health considerations. The Yellow Fever certificate is required regardless of nationality. Malaria immunity from childhood wanes after years in the UK — you still need tablets. Same approach as any other Nigeria traveller.
Booking your Nigeria appointment
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. Book at least 2 weeks before travel for the Yellow Fever certificate to be valid in time. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Yellow Fever (mandatory), Hep A + Typhoid, malaria tablets, outbreak check.
Pre-Nigeria review
Trip purpose, regions, length, current outbreak status. Lagos-only versus regional versus rural travel differ.
Yellow Fever certificate (mandatory)
Required at Nigeria border. Single injection, certificate valid for life. Issued same appointment.
Hep A + Typhoid + Td/IPV
Standard West Africa triple. Combined visit, one appointment.
Malaria tablets dispensed
Year-round malaria across Nigeria. Tablets prescribed and dispensed at the appointment.
Meningitis ACWY (northern, seasonal)
Recommended for dry-season travel (December–June) to northern Nigeria within the meningitis belt.
Outbreak surveillance check
We check current WHO and UKHSA outbreak status (Lassa, polio, cholera) at each appointment.
30-minute appointment for Nigeria pre-travel review.
Three steps from booking to Nigeria-ready.
Book your appointment
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Tell us your route and trip purpose.
Pre-Nigeria visit
24 Queen St, Portsea. Yellow Fever and pre-travel vaccines given. Malaria tablets prescribed and dispensed.
Certificate and travel summary
Walk out with International Certificate of Vaccination, personalised written summary, current outbreak situation report.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
"I find the staff polite..."
On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common Nigeria travel vaccine questions
Is Yellow Fever mandatory for Nigeria?
Yes. Nigeria requires a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for all travellers aged 9 months and over, regardless of arrival country. Checked at Nigerian airports. Must be at least 10 days old at arrival. We issue the certificate the same appointment.
Do I need malaria tablets?
Yes, for almost all Nigeria travel. Year-round malaria across the country including Lagos and Abuja. We prescribe and dispense at the appointment.
I'm Nigerian-born — do I still need the vaccines?
Yes. Yellow Fever certificate is required regardless of nationality. Malaria immunity wanes after years in the UK so tablets still recommended. Same approach as any other traveller.
What other vaccines do I need?
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Polio booster. Hepatitis B for longer stays. Rabies for rural travel. Meningitis ACWY for northern dry-season travel.
What about Lassa fever and outbreaks?
Lassa fever has annual outbreaks in rural Nigeria. We check current WHO and UKHSA outbreak status at each appointment. Most tourist and business travel doesn't trigger specific Lassa precautions beyond standard food and water hygiene.
How early should I book?
Ideally 4 weeks. Minimum 2 weeks before travel for Yellow Fever certificate to be valid.
Can children be vaccinated?
Yes. Yellow Fever from 9 months (and mandatory from age 1 for Nigeria), Hep A from 1, Typhoid from 2. Family bookings welcome.
Where do I get my Nigeria vaccines in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN. NaTHNaC-designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
Council
FEVER
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Book your Yellow Fever certificate and pre-travel vaccines.
Same-day Yellow Fever certificate. Outbreak surveillance check included.
- TravelHealthPro — Nigeria travel health (accessed 2026-05-20)
- FCDO Travel Advice — Nigeria (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book — Yellow Fever and Meningococcal chapters (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). Outbreak surveillance updates — we check current TravelHealthPro, WHO and UKHSA guidance at each appointment.
