Yes, most people need a few injections, but not malaria tablets. TravelHealthPro, the UK’s national travel health service, advises hepatitis A, typhoid and an up-to-date tetanus course for most travellers to Cape Verde. It says there is no risk of malaria there, so malaria prevention tablets are not part of its advice for the islands. The NHS says hepatitis A, typhoid and polio (given with tetanus and diphtheria in one combined jab) are free at a GP surgery after a risk assessment.
Looking to book? See our Cape Verde travel vaccinations page for a travel health consultation at our Denton clinic.
Vaccines advised for most travellers to Cape Verde
TravelHealthPro lists three vaccines for most travellers to Cape Verde:
- Hepatitis A. A liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. It is recommended for all travellers who have not had the vaccine before.
- Typhoid. A bacterial infection, also spread through food and water. It is recommended for most travellers, particularly people visiting friends and relatives, long-stay or frequent travellers, and young children. Typhoid vaccine can be given as an injection or by mouth.
- Tetanus. You should have completed the UK tetanus course. Where medical facilities may be limited, a booster is advised if your last dose was more than 10 years ago. The UK foreign travel advice for Cape Verde says healthcare there is very basic and limited.
Everyone should also be up to date with routine UK vaccines, such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella).
Vaccines some travellers may need
TravelHealthPro lists these for some travellers only, depending on your plans and health:
- Hepatitis B, spread through blood and body fluids. It could be considered for all travellers, and is recommended for people at higher risk, such as long stays, contact sports, work with blood, or a likely need for medical or dental treatment.
- Dengue, which can be considered for people aged 4 and over who have had dengue before.
- Rabies. Rabies has not been reported in Cape Verde, but bats may carry a related virus. Vaccination is for people who work with bats, and could be considered for activities such as caving.
- Tuberculosis (BCG), for unvaccinated children under 16 going to live there for more than 3 months, and some health and laboratory workers.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Cape Verde. But a yellow fever certificate is required from travellers aged 1 or over arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Do you need malaria tablets for Cape Verde?
TravelHealthPro says the World Health Organization declared Cape Verde malaria-free in 2024, and that there is no risk of malaria in the country. Its outbreak section also reported 16 locally acquired malaria cases in Praia, the capital on Santiago, as of 21 August 2025. So avoid mosquito bites, and if you get a fever during your trip or after you get home, get urgent medical advice and say where you have been. If your trip includes other countries, their malaria advice may be different, so mention every stop at your appointment.
Other health risks on the islands
- Dengue and Zika. Both are spread by mosquitoes that bite mainly in the daytime. The UK travel advice says the Cape Verde government has raised its dengue warning level for Santiago, Fogo and Brava. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. Pregnant women should talk to a health professional about whether to travel, and women should avoid becoming pregnant during the trip and for 2 months afterwards.
- Stomach bugs. As of June 2026, 112 of 164 confirmed shigella cases since 1 October 2025 in travellers returning to England, Scotland and Wales had been to Cape Verde, the most recent in February 2026, mainly Santa Maria and Boa Vista. There were also salmonella cases. There is no vaccine for either. TravelHealthPro advises good food and water hygiene even in all-inclusive resorts: wash your hands often, eat food served piping hot, and avoid ice.
- Altitude. TravelHealthPro says part of the country is above 2,500 metres, and the UK travel advice names altitude sickness as a risk on Fogo.
- Healthcare and insurance. Medical facilities are basic and limited, especially on Boa Vista. The UK Global Health Insurance Card is not accepted, so you need proper travel insurance. Take enough of your regular medicines for the whole trip.
Which Cape Verde vaccinations are free on the NHS?
The NHS travel vaccinations page says you can get free NHS vaccines at a GP surgery, after completing a risk assessment form, for hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio. Polio is given in the combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine. That covers the three vaccines most travellers to Cape Verde are advised to have. Hepatitis B and rabies are not routinely available on the NHS, so you would pay for those.
If your GP surgery can see you in time, that is a good place to start. You can also pay for travel vaccines at a pharmacy with a travel health service.
When to book, and what happens at Denton Pharmacy
The NHS and TravelHealthPro advise getting travel health advice at least 4 to 6 weeks before you go, as some vaccines take time to work. The UK travel advice for Cape Verde suggests checking vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks ahead.
At our Denton travel clinic, you meet our pharmacist to talk through your itinerary and health history. The pharmacist assesses which vaccines, if any, suit you, and you leave with a vaccination record card. Our price list shows the Travel Health Consultation as Free, and these prices for the vaccines most travellers are advised to have:
- Hepatitis A: £40 adult / £35 child per dose, £80 adult / £70 child full course
- Typhoid (Injection): £30. Typhoid (Oral): £30
- Diphtheria / Tetanus / Polio: £30
We are at 14-16 Ashton Road, Denton, M34 3EX, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. You can book an appointment online or call 0161 336 2548.
Common questions
Do you need injections for Cape Verde?
TravelHealthPro recommends hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus for most travellers. Its only certificate rule is yellow fever, for people arriving from a country with yellow fever risk.
Do you need malaria tablets for Cape Verde?
Not for Cape Verde itself. TravelHealthPro says there is no risk of malaria there. Avoiding mosquito bites is still advised.
Can I get Cape Verde vaccinations on the NHS?
Hepatitis A, typhoid and the combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccine are free at a GP surgery after a risk assessment, according to the NHS.
How do I find my old vaccination records?
The NHS says you can get help in the NHS App or ask your GP. Our guide on travel vaccination records explains what to look for.
Important health information
This article is general information only. It does not recommend a vaccine or medicine, or replace an individual travel health assessment. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, use NHS 111.
Sources
Official guidance checked 12 October 2026:
- TravelHealthPro: Cape Verde
- TravelHealthPro: Shigella and Salmonella cases reported in travellers returning from Cape Verde
- TravelHealthPro: Malaria
- NHS: Travel vaccinations
- GOV.UK: Cape Verde travel advice, health
Written to NHS, TravelHealthPro and FCDO guidance. Published by Denton Pharmacy. Superintendent Pharmacist: Ahmed Al-Liabi (GPhC 2208502).
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