Health & Medical Preparation for Egypt

Recommended Vaccinations

No vaccines are mandatory for most tourists, but the CDC and WHO recommend being up to date on routine immunisations before travel. Book a travel health appointment 4–6 weeks before departure to leave time for multi-dose courses.

Vaccine	Recommended For	Notes
Hepatitis A	All travellers	Food/water transmission risk
Hepatitis B	Extended stays, medical work	Blood/body fluid exposure
Typhoid	Adventure travellers, long stays	Contaminated food/water
Rabies	Outdoor workers, children	Animal bites in rural areas
COVID-19	All travellers	Check current requirements
Routine (MMR, DTP, Polio)	All travellers	Ensure boosters are current

Water & Food Safety

Stick to bottled water throughout your stay — it's inexpensive and available everywhere, including most hotels and restaurants. Many travellers also use bottled water for brushing teeth, especially on shorter trips. Avoid ice in drinks unless you're confident it was made from purified water.

Sun & Heat Protection

Egypt's sun is intense year-round. Apply SPF 30+ regularly, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and schedule outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon. Summer temperatures in Luxor and Aswan regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) — dehydration happens faster than most visitors expect, so drink water constantly, not just when thirsty.

Your Travel Medical Kit Should Include

• Pain relievers (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
• Anti-diarrheal medication (loperamide)
• Oral rehydration salts
• Antiseptic wipes and adhesive bandages
• Insect repellent (DEET 20%+)
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Motion sickness tablets, useful for Nile cruises
• Any prescription medications, in original packaging with copies of the prescription