Health, vaccinations and medical care in Algeria

Where to be treated

• Facilities at private clinics are usually better than at government hospitals.
• Insurance must cover treatment, evacuation and repatriation, with accessible funds.
• Call the insurer as soon as you are referred to a facility.

Language is a practical health issue here

• English is not widely spoken, and the FCDO warns of communication difficulties if you speak neither Arabic nor French.
• Write down your conditions, allergies and medications in French before you travel. A card in a wallet is worth more than a translation app with no signal.

The named risk

• Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Algeria. That is unexpected in a country most people picture as desert, and it applies in the mountains of the interior and the Hoggar.

Before you go

• Check vaccine recommendations at least 8 weeks ahead.
• A yellow fever certificate is an entry requirement only if you arrive from a transmission-risk country.