Morocco is one of the African countries with the lowest health risks. A good example is that the World Health Organization (WHO) does not suggest vaccinations for travel to Morocco. But for you to come with more peace of mind, in the following lines we give you some tips related to health and medical care present in the country.
Health care and medical insurance in Morocco
Although it is a country with a low health risk, medical treatments in the country can be expensive. In all cities you can find health centers and private clinics. And if someone in your group gets sick or has an accident that requires hospitalization, it is advisable to contact the embassy or consulate.
On the other hand, most private clinics have agreements with major insurance companies. Therefore, taking out travel insurance for Morocco can be a very interesting option to avoid possible headaches. In fact, we strongly recommend it to our visitors before arriving. Such insurance not only covers medical emergencies, including evacuation expenses, but also protects against loss of luggage, lost transport and trip cancellation, among other things.
Families wishing to take out travel insurance to Morocco will find joint policies. This is an interesting decision due to the high investment in the trip and the increased risk of illness of any one person in the group. This could result in the trip being cancelled and in the absence of insurance, all the money invested would be lost.
Traveling to Morocco: health-related tips
- Do not drink soft drinks from street stalls, many of these stalls do not have a water supply to wash and disinfect the glasses where soft drinks are served.
- Drink only bottled water, as tap water can upset your stomach.
- Avoid ice: the origin of the water is unknown, so it may not be drinkable or tap water, with the consequent risk of stomach damage.
- Avoid raw vegetables.
- If you have to drink from a river, well or natural source, it is best to collect it in a bottle and add a water purification tablet.
- In rocky or arid areas, beware of scorpion stings and animal bites: this is very rare to occur but it is always good to take precautions.
What medications should I bring?
If you are traveling to Morocco, other tips to keep in mind are those related to medicines and pharmacies. Carrying a small first aid kit with the basics is always advisable in case you have any mishaps during your stay. In it you can take some antibiotics and alcohol, as well as aspirin and antidiarrheals.
It is also advisable to bring sunscreen and medicines for insect bites. In Morocco, it is easy to find a pharmacy, but their price is generally high. In addition, they are often called differently, as they come mostly from French laboratories, which can create some confusion.
Vaccinations for travel to Morocco
No vaccinations are required for travel to Morocco as it is not a country at risk. Not even for yellow fever: there is no prior vaccination requirement by the local health authorities and no explicit WHO recommendation. However, if you wish to travel safely, some vaccinations that may be recommended are the following:
- Typhoid Fevers
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus-Diphtheria
