Travel vaccines for Morocco

Travel vaccines for Morocco at a glance

Morocco is not a Yellow Fever risk country, but it has a moderate background rate of food and water-borne illness, particularly in the medinas and rural areas, plus a real rabies risk from stray animals. NaTHNaC recommends Hepatitis A and Typhoid for almost every traveller, with Rabies for longer rural stays and trekkers. Aqua Travel Clinic in West Hampstead can vaccinate and brief you in a single appointment.

Hepatitis A and Typhoid for Morocco

Both are standard for Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, the coast and the desert. They protect against the two most common vaccine-preventable causes of severe travellers' illness in North Africa. Both can be given together as Viatim (one injection) or separately. Hep A protects for around 12 months from a single dose (25 years with a booster); Typhoid protects for around 3 years. Worth doing even for a long weekend in the medina.

Rabies in Morocco

Rabies is endemic in Morocco, and stray dogs and cats are common across cities, mountain villages and desert camps. Children are at particular risk because they are more likely to approach animals and less likely to report a scratch. NaTHNaC recommends pre-exposure rabies vaccination for trekkers, longer rural stays, anyone working with animals, and all children. Two doses on days 0 and 7. If you are bitten or scratched after vaccination, you still need urgent medical care, but you do not need immunoglobulin (which can be hard to access outside Casablanca and Rabat) and the post-exposure course is much shorter.

Marrakech, Fes and street food

The medinas are part of the appeal of Morocco, and most travellers want to eat at Jemaa el-Fnaa or in the souks. The risk is real but manageable. Stick to freshly cooked hot food, avoid salads and unpeeled fruit, drink bottled or boiled water (including for brushing teeth), avoid ice unless you know it is made from bottled water, and be careful with fresh juices and dairy. A short course of loperamide and a few rehydration sachets in your bag cover most incidents.

Atlas Mountains and Mount Toubkal

Mount Toubkal at 4,167m is the highest peak in North Africa and a popular two-day trek from Imlil. Most fit travellers cope well with the altitude, but acute mountain sickness is possible. Plan a conservative ascent, build in an acclimatisation night, and consider acetazolamide (Diamox) if you have a history of altitude issues. We can prescribe Diamox at the consultation if appropriate.

Sahara desert tours

Sahara overnights from Merzouga, Zagora or M'hamid involve long hot drives, camel rides, cold desert nights and limited running water. Sun protection (SPF 50+, broad hat, UV sunglasses), plenty of fluids, and a basic kit for cuts and blisters cover most issues. The main vaccine-relevant risk is rabies from camp dogs and stray cats; pre-exposure vaccination is worth it for longer desert trips.

Book your appointment

Aqua Travel Clinic is at 59 Mill Lane, West Hampstead NW6 1NB, one minute from West Hampstead station. The clinic is operated by Aqua Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1123406), part of Naspram Pharma Limited. All consultations are supervised by Superintendent Pharmacist Sanjay Mukundkumar Patel (GPhC 2045157). Book your Morocco travel vaccines online. Most travellers are sorted in a single 15-minute appointment.