Illustration of a globe, passport and aeroplane, representing travel vaccinations

What vaccinations do I need for Morocco?

ByZain Rajabali

Morocco is close enough for a long weekend in Marrakech, but far enough that the health risks are different from Europe. There’s no malaria and no yellow fever certificate to worry about. The things that catch people out are stomach bugs and stray dogs, and it’s the dogs that make rabies worth a proper conversation.

This guide is based on the UK’s official travel health advice from TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC). It’s general information: which vaccines are right for you is decided at a travel consultation, based on your plans and health.

The short answer

  • Recommended for most travellers: hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid.
  • Some travellers, depending on your plans: hepatitis B, measles, rabies, tuberculosis.
  • Malaria: TravelHealthPro doesn’t list any malaria risk for Morocco, so malaria tablets aren’t needed.
  • Yellow fever: There are no yellow fever certificate requirements for Morocco.
  • Book 6 to 8 weeks before you travel if you can. Some vaccines need more than one dose. If you’re short of time, it’s still worth coming in.
  • Get them in Oxford: our Oxford travel clinic runs at all four MediPill branches. Book a travel consultation ahead with no extra fee, or walk in on the day (£25 same-day express fee).

Vaccines recommended for most travellers to Morocco

TravelHealthPro recommends these for most travellers:

Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water, or close contact with someone who has it. TravelHealthPro recommends it for all previously unvaccinated travellers, because it’s well tolerated and gives long-lasting protection. £80 per dose with us, or free from your GP surgery.

Tetanus bacteria live in soil and manure and get in through wounds, burns and scratches. You should have completed the UK course. TravelHealthPro advises a booster if your last dose was more than 10 years ago and you’re going somewhere medical care may be limited. It’s given as a combined tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster: £50 with us, or free from your GP surgery.

Typhoid spreads through contaminated food and water. For Morocco, TravelHealthPro recommends it for most travellers, and particularly if you’re visiting friends and relatives, travelling with young children, staying a long time or travelling often, or going where food hygiene may be poor. £55 with us, or free from your GP surgery.

All travellers should also be up to date with their routine UK vaccines.

Vaccines some travellers need

These depend on what you’ll be doing, where you’ll stay and for how long:

  • Rabies (£90 per dose, £270 for the course) – rabies has been reported in domestic animals in Morocco. The vaccine is recommended if you’ll be far from medical care, doing higher-risk activities like running or cycling, working with animals, or staying more than a month. Children are at higher risk, because they’re more likely to touch animals and less likely to tell you about a bite or scratch.
  • Hepatitis B (£65 per dose, £195 for the course) – Morocco has an intermediate or high level of hepatitis B. Recommended if you might have unprotected sex, need medical or dental treatment, stay a long time, play contact sports, or come into contact with blood through your work.
  • Measles – TravelHealthPro says the risk of measles in Morocco is greater than in the UK. Make sure you’ve had two doses of the MMR vaccine. If you’ve missed doses, or you’re travelling with a baby or young child, ask your GP surgery, as children’s doses can sometimes be brought forward before travel.
  • Tuberculosis – only relevant for unvaccinated children under 16 who are going to live in Morocco for more than 3 months, and some health and laboratory workers. Speak to your GP surgery.

Why rabies gets extra attention for Morocco

In June 2025, UKHSA confirmed that a UK traveller had died of rabies after contact with a stray dog in Morocco. The FCDO also warns that stray dogs are common in many towns and cities, can gather in packs and can behave aggressively. Rabies can be prevented with prompt treatment after a bite, but once symptoms start it’s almost always fatal.

The vaccine doesn’t replace treatment after a bite, but TravelHealthPro explains that it makes that treatment simpler and shorter, and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin, which is in short supply worldwide. Either way, don’t touch or feed stray animals.

Do I need malaria tablets for Morocco?

No. TravelHealthPro doesn’t list any malaria risk for Morocco. It’s still sensible to avoid insect bites, because there’s a risk of other insect-borne infections in parts of North Africa (see below).

If Morocco is part of a longer trip, for example overland into West Africa, the advice for your other countries may be very different, so bring your full route to your consultation. If you do need tablets for somewhere else, a pharmacist can supply them. See our malaria tablets page.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Morocco?

No. TravelHealthPro says there are no yellow fever certificate requirements for Morocco. The FCDO does say you need proof of polio vaccination if you’re coming from a country affected by polio, which doesn’t apply if you’re flying from the UK.

Other health risks in Morocco

Food and water. Stomach bugs are common in travellers. Wash your hands, and take care with what you eat and drink. TravelHealthPro’s food and water hygiene advice is worth reading before you go. The FCDO adds that allergen information isn’t always provided, so if you have a food allergy, make it clear and avoid foods you’re unsure about.

Insect bites. There’s a risk of insect and tick-borne infections in some areas of North Africa, including leishmaniasis, Rift Valley fever and West Nile virus. There are no vaccines for these, so cover up and use insect repellent.

Altitude. Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains reaches 4,167m, and altitude illness is a risk at 2,500m and above. If you’re trekking, read TravelHealthPro’s altitude illness advice before you go, and plan a gradual climb.

Henna tattoos. The FCDO warns that henna tattoos can cause a painful allergic reaction, with swelling and an itchy rash.

Your usual medicines. Take enough for the whole trip. The FCDO says travellers have sometimes struggled to find their medicine, and a Moroccan pharmacy may ask you to see a local doctor for a new prescription.

Healthcare. The number for an ambulance in Morocco is 150. The FCDO says public health facilities provide limited care, and private clinics work to a higher standard, so you need travel insurance that covers treatment and getting you home.

Who needs extra advice before vaccination

Some vaccines are not suitable for everyone. Tell the pharmacist if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have a weakened immune system, have a long-term condition, or have had a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine before. Bring a list of any medicines you take. If you’re unwell with a high temperature on the day, the NHS advises waiting until you feel better.

When to get medical help

  • Bitten, scratched or licked on broken skin by any animal – clean the wound thoroughly and get urgent local medical help the same day, even if it looks minor. Don’t wait until you get home.
  • Bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea lasting more than 7 days, or vomiting for more than 2 days – get medical advice, wherever you are (in the UK, call 111).
  • Unwell after you get home – speak to your GP or call 111, and say where you’ve travelled.
  • Severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or confusion – call 999 or go to A&E.

How far ahead should I book?

The NHS and TravelHealthPro both advise seeing a travel health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, and the FCDO suggests checking vaccine advice at least 8 weeks ahead. Rabies is given as a course of doses, so if you’re considering it, earlier is better. Our guide to how long travel vaccines last explains how far ahead each vaccine needs, and how long it protects you for.

What’s free on the NHS, and what you pay for

The NHS says hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and polio (as part of the tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster) are free from your GP surgery after a risk assessment. Hepatitis B and rabies aren’t routinely available on the NHS, so you pay for them wherever you go.

Prices at MediPill:

  • Travel consultation: £10
  • Hepatitis A: £80 per dose
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster: £50
  • Typhoid: £55
  • Hepatitis B: £65 per dose (£195 for the course)
  • Rabies: £90 per dose (£270 for the course)

Common questions

Do I legally need any vaccines to enter Morocco? Flying from the UK, no. There’s no yellow fever certificate requirement, and the polio certificate rule only applies if you’re coming from a polio-affected country. The recommended vaccines are about protecting your health.

Do I need the rabies vaccine for a week in Marrakech? It depends on your plans. TravelHealthPro recommends it for people who’ll be far from medical care, doing higher-risk activities like running or cycling, working with animals, or staying more than a month. A short city break may not put you in those groups, but everyone should avoid animals and get urgent treatment after any bite, vaccinated or not. Children are at higher risk. The pharmacist will go through it with you.

What if I’m travelling in less than 2 weeks? Come in anyway. Several vaccines can still be given, and some have faster schedules.

Where can I check the latest advice? Outbreaks and advice change, so check the TravelHealthPro page for Morocco and the FCDO’s Morocco health advice before you travel.

Travel vaccinations in Oxford

All four MediPill branches run a full travel clinic. Book a £10 consultation, or walk in same day (£25 express fee):

See every vaccine and price on our Oxford travel clinic, read more about the rabies vaccine, or book a travel health consultation.

More destination guides

Sources

  1. Morocco – TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC). https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries/morocco (no page-level update date shown; latest dated item: outbreak update 3 June 2026; accessed 24 September 2026)
  2. Health – Morocco travel advice – GOV.UK (FCDO). https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/health (updated 19 August 2026; accessed 24 September 2026)
  3. Entry requirements – Morocco travel advice – GOV.UK (FCDO). https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements (updated 19 August 2026; accessed 24 September 2026)
  4. Travel vaccinations – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/travel-vaccinations/ (page last reviewed 30 April 2026; accessed 24 September 2026)
  5. Altitude illness – TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC). https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/altitude-illness (last updated 9 February 2023; accessed 24 September 2026)
  6. Food and water hygiene – TravelHealthPro (NaTHNaC). https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheets/food-and-water-hygiene (last updated 23 October 2025; accessed 24 September 2026)
  7. Diarrhoea and vomiting – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/ (page last reviewed 21 December 2023; accessed 24 September 2026)

Written by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist – GPhC #2219769
Medically reviewed by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber – GPhC #2219769
Last reviewed: 24 September 2026 · Next review due: April 2027

This article is general health information based on UK travel health guidance and is not a substitute for a travel consultation. It does not recommend any specific vaccine or medicine for you. What you need is decided at an individual assessment with a pharmacist.

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