Afghanistan

Recommended Vaccinations For Afghanistan

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Polio Vaccine

Travellers who intend to visit Afghanistan for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination given 4 weeks to 12 months before departure from Afghanistan. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the point of departure. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Vaccination against yellow fever is not recommended. This country requires all persons to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a country where yellow fever occurs.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Afghanistan

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Afghanistan

For Most Travellers

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Afghanistan.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Afghanistan through contaminated food or water.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Afghanistan. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

For Some Travellers

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Afghanistan. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals and should be vaccinated. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Afghanistan. Travellers to Afghanistan are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a country where yellow fever occurs.

Malaria

There is a risk of malaria in areas of Afghanistan below 2,000 meters between May and November. During the rest of the year, there is a low risk. There is low to no risk of malaria in areas above 2,000 meters.

Polio

Travellers who intend to visit Afghanistan for 4 weeks or more may be required to show proof of polio vaccination given 4 weeks to 12 months before departure from Afghanistan. Failure to produce this documentation may result in vaccination at the point of departure. Childhood vaccinations, including polio, should be up-to-date prior to travel.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Afghanistan, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Safety & Security in Afghanistan

Personal Safety

Afghanistan presents extreme safety risks for visitors. Multiple terrorist groups operate throughout the country, including ISIS-K and remnants of other militant organizations. Kidnapping and hostage-taking remain serious threats. Foreigners, including tourists and aid workers, are specific targets. In May 2024, three Spanish tourists were killed during a guided tour in Bamiyan province. The Taliban exercises strict control and views foreign activities with suspicion. You face the risk of arbitrary detention or wrongful arrest with unclear reasons. Consular assistance is severely limited or unavailable, as most embassies suspended operations in 2021. Detention can be lengthy, and access to medical care while detained is minimal or absent. Former government employees or those perceived as critics face additional risks, including extrajudicial detention, torture, and enforced disappearances. The security situation remains volatile throughout all provinces, and no location can be considered safe from attack. Cross-border tensions with Pakistan have resulted in military strikes and civilian casualties in border provinces.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist attacks occur regularly throughout Afghanistan, including in Kabul and other major cities. ISIS-K conducts attacks against civilians and Taliban officials and targets ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazara Shia community. In 2023, Afghanistan experienced a reduction in terrorist attacks compared to previous years, though attacks on mosques, schools, public transportation, and public gatherings still occurred. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for multiple attacks, including bombings near government buildings and at religious sites. Attacks employ vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings, and armed assaults. Al-Qaeda maintains a presence in the country despite Taliban assurances. The Taliban itself has documented cases of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture of former government officials and security personnel. Public floggings and corporal punishment are carried out regularly. Cross-border violence occurs along the Pakistan border, including Pakistani military airstrikes and Taliban military responses, resulting in civilian casualties.

Political Unrest

The Taliban controls Afghanistan following their August 2021 takeover. Russia is the first and only country that has formally recognized the Taliban government. The Taliban has a very low tolerance for demonstrations or activities perceived as dissent. All political activities are forbidden, and most opposition leaders have fled. The Taliban enforces a strict interpretation of Sharia law, with enforcement severity varying by province. Internal divisions exist within Taliban leadership regarding policies on women’s rights, education, and relations with neighbouring countries. Tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have escalated due to cross-border militant activity and refugee issues. Relations with Iran fluctuate over water rights and refugee deportations. Russia has elevated diplomatic relations with the Taliban, including military cooperation agreements. The country faces severe economic challenges, with sanctions and frozen central bank assets limiting development. The Taliban’s refusal to meet international obligations, particularly regarding women’s rights, prevents formal recognition and limits international engagement.

Areas To Avoid

No location in Afghanistan can be considered safe. Kabul, as the capital, attracts Taliban attention and experiences regular security incidents. Major cities, including Kandahar, Herat, Jalalabad, Kunduz, and Ghazni, all face security threats from both Taliban control and militant attacks. Kabul, Kandahar, and Khost have been identified as hotspots for violence against LGBTQ individuals. Border regions are particularly dangerous due to cross-border tensions, especially with Pakistan. Provinces including Paktika, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar have experienced Pakistani airstrikes and military operations. The Herat to Islam Qala highway corridor near the Iran border is considered extremely dangerous for traffic accidents. Rural areas face additional risks from unexploded ordnance, landmines, and limited infrastructure. Areas with religious minority populations, particularly Hazara Shia neighbourhoods like Dasht-e Barchi in Kabul, face heightened risk of targeted attacks. Afghanistan sits in an active earthquake zone, with provinces experiencing deadly earthquakes, floods, and landslides. In 2024, 33 out of 34 provinces experienced some form of natural disaster.