Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country that offers a unique and authentic travel experience for adventurous tourists. With its stunning coastline, lush forests, and vibrant culture, Guinea-Bissau is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Visitors can explore the Bijagos Archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where they can witness traditional fishing practices and observe rare wildlife. The country is also home to several national parks, including the Cantanhez Forest National Park, where visitors can see chimpanzees and other primates. Guinea-Bissau's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its music, dance, and art, which can be experienced in the capital city of Bissau and other towns and villages. Despite its challenges, Guinea-Bissau is a welcoming and friendly country that offers a truly authentic African experience.
Routine Immunizations
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccinations before traveling. Note that many vaccines that are now considered "routine" were not available until recent decades so you may not have received them at all, depending on your age and other factors. Here are a few specific vaccines we would like to call your attention to:
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Flu, RSV and Covid-19: Make sure you are up-to-date to minimize your risk of ruining your trip due to illness.
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Tetanus should be updated every 10 years especially if you're traveling.
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Hepatitis A and B: Hepatitis B was not part of the routine immunization schedule in the U.S. until 1995 and hepatitis A did not become a part of routine childhood immunizations until 2006. So if you were born before 2005 you may need one or both of these vaccines. Many people opt for Hep A only because it is commonly spread through food and water, but Hep B spread through blood and other body fluids is essential too--especially if you find yourself in an under-resourced hospital in the developing world.
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Polio: There is currently a global outbreak of polio and the U.S. CDC is recommending adults who have been fully immunized as children get a single life-time booster as an adult before traveling to many global destinations. The CDC's list of polio outbreak countries is constantly updating so check the CDC's polio list to see if your destination is on the list.
Infants, 6 to 11 months old should receive one dose of MMR and Hepatitis A prior to visiting Guinea-Bissau. This does not count toward routine childhood immunizations.
Guinea-Bissau Immunization Recommendations and Requirements
Talk to a travel health specialist
At Away Clinic we specialize in getting travelers ready for their trips to the world's most exotic destinations. We would be glad to assist you at the following locations:
To set up an appointment, see our self-scheduling page, call us at (480) 712-8865, or email us.
