Yellow fever vaccination for South America?

[icps1995]

I have heard different bits of information about whether a yellow fever vaccination is needed for our cruise to South America in February, 2010. We are traveling from Santiago to Rio on this cruise. I have heard some say that you may not even be allowed into the country without one, but the CDC says they are not mandatory. ??:confused:

[Keith1010]

It would be helpful if you can list your itinerary in Brazil. Is Rio the only port in Brazil you will be visiting and are you flying back to California after your cruise.

 

Keith

[owl61]

I have heard different bits of information about whether a yellow fever vaccination is needed for our cruise to South America in February, 2010. We are traveling from Santiago to Rio on this cruise. I have heard some say that you may not even be allowed into the country without one, but the CDC says they are not mandatory. ??:confused:

 

First and foremost, you need to ascertain if the ship requires you to have a YF cert in order to board. If not, you have to decide if any independent side trips will take you into an endemic zone and whether you should get a YF shot as a personal protection even if not required for this cruise. If you are taking an independent side trip into other countries (for example, Uruguay) you may be required to have the YF cert to enter those countries after having been in Argentina and Brasil. Consult the CDC charts for specifics as to each country´s requirements. Finally, if you intend to travel extensively in the future, in particular, the mid east, you may be required to prove you had the YF cert prior to entry into a country with endemic zones (Arg., Brasil). At least one contributor who travels frequently to the mideast reports that such is the case even though the CDC site is unclear on the details.

[greatam]

First and foremost, you need to ascertain if the ship requires you to have a YF cert in order to board. If not, you have to decide if any independent side trips will take you into an endemic zone and whether you should get a YF shot as a personal protection even if not required for this cruise. If you are taking an independent side trip into other countries (for example, Uruguay) you may be required to have the YF cert to enter those countries after having been in Argentina and Brasil. Consult the CDC charts for specifics as to each country´s requirements. Finally, if you intend to travel extensively in the future, in particular, the mid east, you may be required to prove you had the YF cert prior to entry into a country with endemic zones (Arg., Brasil). At least one contributor who travels frequently to the mideast reports that such is the case even though the CDC site is unclear on the details.

 

It is not only the Middle East. With the worldwide fear of H1N1, quite a few countries are now asking for YF vaccination record if you have visas or stamps from YF endemic countries. China is notorious for asking for the record. Vietnam has been asking as has Cambodia sporadically. Peru has gotten very strict-I just got back from a Chile/Peru business trip and everyone at the Lima airport that I saw on an arriving plane from Brazil was asked. There were quite a few that were escorted to the onsite doctor. Those that refused to go were escorted to an office off to the side of the immigration booths and I never saw them again. One lady in the LAN lounge stated that everyone on the plane who either could not produce the international vaccination record and refused to get the vaccination at the airport was put on a plane and RETURNED to Brazil.

 

To the OP: Really think about your future travels. They could be impacted.

[CaveDiving]

Karen and I have been around South America several times. It is my understanding that to enter Brazil, you must have a visa before you board the ship. And to get a Brazilian visa, I believe a Yellow Fever shot is required. At least that’s how it was last year.

 

But things in South America have a habit of changing regularly.

 

I suggest you get on the net and find out the present requirements for a Brazilian visa.

 

Scott & Karen

[Keith1010]

Karen and I have been around South America several times. It is my understanding that to enter Brazil, you must have a visa before you board the ship. And to get a Brazilian visa, I believe a Yellow Fever shot is required. At least that’s how it was last year.

 

But things in South America have a habit of changing regularly.

 

I suggest you get on the net and find out the present requirements for a Brazilian visa.

 

Scott & Karen

 

You are correct a visa is required to enter Brazil and you cannot board the ship unless you have a visa.

 

In terms of Brazil having a yellow fever vaccination requirement to enter Brazil a yellow vaccination immunization certificate is only required if the person has been to the following countries within the last 90 days. This is why I asked the OP for the specific itinerary of their cruise.

 

10) as applicable, Yellow Fever Immunization International Certificate is required only if the applicant has traveled within the last 90 days to any of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Bissau Guinea, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Camerun, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda or Venezuela. Yellow Fever Immunization International Certificate is advisable if applicant's destination in Brazil includes any of the following States: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Federal District, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and/or Tocantins;

 

Keith

[bluesea777]

If you are in doubt, just go ahead and have one, dear. The Yellow Fever vaccination.

 

We had ours last month for our upcoming SA cruise - we were told we didn't need one unless we were planning on visiting the Iguazu Falls, but we chose to have it.

 

Also, as other posters said, you MUST get the Brazilian visa ....

 

Enjoy the peace of mind on your upcoming cruise.

[ilovhywd]

The Brazil visa did not require a yellow fever vaccination. Nor did our particular tour company. Of course, you might have a different itinerary that takes you to more problematic locations.

 

No one in our group was bothered by mosquitoes today, our first day here. We walked three scenic trails.

 

The falls are unbelievable, and there are fabulous birds everywhere! What a place!

[fendbass]

When I checked the CDC site a few weeks agto, it was 'recommended' that you get a Yellow Fever shot if going to Iguazu Falls. My doctor also recommended immunizations for Typhoid, Hepatitus A and B, and medication for malaria.

 

Since we are only going to be at Iguazu for 24 hours, and in Brazil for about 3.5 days, we got the yellow fever shots and the malaria treatment today (my wife says, if there is a mosquito within 5 miles, it will find her). The down side was the cost, not covered by my health insurance, so it was $320 for both of us.

 

We were also advised to take mosquito repellant for at least 30% DEET, and bottled water or carbonated beverages only, with no ice. Don't swim in fresh-water rivers or lakes because of a nasty parasite, I think it is called shistosomiasis. (probably butchered the spelling)

[ilovhywd]

So far, in 3 days, we have been bothered by no-see-ums rather than mosquitoes. We are using Deep Woods Off. We happened to dine outdoors last night right after sunset, so that is when we got most of the bites.

 

You are in for a real treat here at Iguazu. Be sure to visit both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides, even though it will cost you two separate entrance tickets. The views and the experiences are different. We got much wetter on the Brazilian side where you can walk way out on the boardwalk and get under the spray.

 

For birders with a good eye, there are fabulous birds everywhere, but to get closer up, visit the bird park on the Brazil side (separate attraction - about $12). The toucans are unreal; they look like stuffed animals. Today we are going to visit the bird rehabilitation hospital on the Argentina side to see more raptors.

 

Every time you go through the 2 borders, you get your passport checked and stamped. There were no delays the past few days, only one short line that moved quickly.

 

Have a wonderful visit!

[bluesea777]

we got the yellow fever shots and the malaria treatment today (my wife says, if there is a mosquito within 5 miles, it will find her). The down side was the cost, not covered by my health insurance, so it was $320 for both of us.

 

 

Ouchies! YF shots cost us $25 each here. As do the other shots ($25 or $30).

 

Also, if you eat a lot of bananas the mosquitoes LOVE you. :eek:

[voyager70]

When I checked the CDC site a few weeks agto, it was 'recommended' that you get a Yellow Fever shot if going to Iguazu Falls. My doctor also recommended immunizations for Typhoid, Hepatitus A and B, and medication for malaria.

 

Since we are only going to be at Iguazu for 24 hours, and in Brazil for about 3.5 days, we got the yellow fever shots and the malaria treatment today (my wife says, if there is a mosquito within 5 miles, it will find her). The down side was the cost, not covered by my health insurance, so it was $320 for both of us.

 

We were also advised to take mosquito repellant for at least 30% DEET, and bottled water or carbonated beverages only, with no ice. Don't swim in fresh-water rivers or lakes because of a nasty parasite, I think it is called shistosomiasis. (probably butchered the spelling)

 

Wow, we live in the states & the YF vaccine at our local clinic is $45. We just have to pay the $15 copay & insurance picks up the rest. Don't know about the malaria treatment, though.

[greatam]

Wow, we live in the states & the YF vaccine at our local clinic is $45. We just have to pay the $15 copay & insurance picks up the rest. Don't know about the malaria treatment, though.

 

$45.00 is REALLY a cheap price. Most of the YF vaccinations in the USA are about $100.00pp, even at the county health clinic. I have had employees vaccinated in NY State, Missouri, California, Arizona and Texas. The average price was right at $100.00.

[voyager70]

$45.00 is REALLY a cheap price. Most of the YF vaccinations in the USA are about $100.00pp, even at the county health clinic. I have had employees vaccinated in NY State, Missouri, California, Arizona and Texas. The average price was right at $100.00.

 

That's what they quoted me. Hopefully there aren't any "hidden" charges they didn't tell me about.

[greatam]

That's what they quoted me. Hopefully there aren't any "hidden" charges they didn't tell me about.

 

If it is a local county health clinic, that may be the price. But if it is in a small town, don't count on availability any time you need it. Most county health depts have to order it from larger entities. One of my employees waited almost 5 weeks before the local health dept (Northern Missouri) could get the vaccine. And that one cost $65.00 in 2005.

 

Just an FYI because the vaccine is available to ALL county health depts but very few carry it except in larger cities.

[Keith1010]

This discussion is quite interesting.

 

Whether the shot costs 25.00 or 100.00 should not be the factor in dertermining whether or not one should get the vaccine. And like most health care costs this will vary depending on where you go and where you live. We got ours a few years ago and there was a large variance as to cost within our own city. Clinics were less in cost than say private companies. So, my advice is figure out whether or not you need the vaccination and if you do go to the CDC web site where you can easily do a search to determine where it is offered and then if it is available in more than one facility then by all means call around if price is the driver. For us the driver came down to convenience and we chose the facility which was easier for us to get to and to schedule an appointment.

 

Keith

[fendbass]

According to the Pinellas Co, Florida health department, we could get yellow fever shots only at a private doctor's office, which included a consultation with the doctor to determine if anything else would be required, including discussion on what to eat and drink (and what not to), mosquite protection, basic things like that. I had hoped that they would have included both of us for one price, and pay for the shots seperately, but, it wasn't to be

 

This is really turning out to be a pretty expensive 24 hours at Iguazu Falls

[celle]

According to the Pinellas Co, Florida health department, we could get yellow fever shots only at a private doctor's office, which included a consultation with the doctor to determine if anything else would be required, including discussion on what to eat and drink (and what not to), mosquite protection, basic things like that. I had hoped that they would have included both of us for one price, and pay for the shots seperately, but, it wasn't to be

 

This is really turning out to be a pretty expensive 24 hours at Iguazu Falls

 

Although our cruise does not require it, we got the yellow fever shots (no ill-effects). We're going to Iguazu for a couple of days pre-cruise.

 

Only 2 clinics in our city can give yellow fever vaccinations and the certificate with the official stamp.

 

It cost us $125 each but, since the immunisation is good for 10 years, we thought it was a wise investment for future travel.

[Keith1010]

According to the Pinellas Co, Florida health department, we could get yellow fever shots only at a private doctor's office, which included a consultation with the doctor to determine if anything else would be required, including discussion on what to eat and drink (and what not to), mosquite protection, basic things like that. I had hoped that they would have included both of us for one price, and pay for the shots seperately, but, it wasn't to be

 

This is really turning out to be a pretty expensive 24 hours at Iguazu Falls

 

You actually could get most other shots at your regular doctor's office.

 

In terms of the yellow fever it is only given at certain offices around the country.

 

I have never heard of a doctor visit or shots being a 2 for 1 price. You pay per person.

 

Honestly, it's a small amount of money relative to the entire cost of the trip and one that is obviously important to ones health.

 

Keith

[Nonna and Papa]

This is an interesting discussion and apropos to my situation. I've been calling the state department of health offices both in my area and in Pittsburgh looking for YF vaccine without success. The clinics don't have the vaccine and "don't know when it will come in". I then called the Main number for the department of health to ask what my options might be. They referred me to the travel department at the University of Pittsburgh (no call back as yet), and a private company who does have the vaccine, and charges $19.00 per person to walk in and an additional $137.00 per person for the innoculation.

 

I even called my private physician to ask if the office might be able to order the vaccine, and she also referred me to the private company in lieu of the health department clinics.

 

So, I have to agree that if anyone is interested in receiving the inoculation prior to their cruise, don't wait too long to inquire, because it seems as though the vaccine may not be readily available.

 

The kicker to all of this is that we're going to Machu Picchu in February, and then to Buenos Aires where we'll board our ship for an Antarctic cruise. We're not required to have a YF innoculation. But as greatam suggested, we're considering future travels and any unexpected scenerio that might present itself on this trip. So we'll probably get the vaccine now and not worry about it in the future.

 

Mary

[Keith1010]

Keep in mind something about future travels. Yes, if you travel regularly such as on business there is some concern. But if you are not going to be travling for quite a long time say one year after you first entered Brazil I would not worry about it. Many times when we travel we have not taken our yellow card that shows that we have a yellow fever vaccination since our last time in Brazil was in 2007. We are traveling there again in 2010 and yes we'll take the card with us for the next year after that. But after that we won't.

 

Keith

[Nonna and Papa]

We don't travel more than once or twice a year. So do I get this vaccine or not? Our plans for the next year or two include China, India and Panama. I do want to go to Brazil, too. Plus, plans tend to change based on opportunities that may come up on short notice.

 

Considering our February itinerary, we thought to go ahead and inoculate ourselves now.

 

Mary

[bluesea777]

This is an interesting discussion and apropos to my situation. I've been calling the state department of health offices both in my area and in Pittsburgh looking for YF vaccine without success. The clinics don't have the vaccine and "don't know when it will come in". I then called the Main number for the department of health to ask what my options might be. They referred me to the travel department at the University of Pittsburgh (no call back as yet), and a private company who does have the vaccine, and charges $19.00 per person to walk in and an additional $137.00 per person for the innoculation.

 

I even called my private physician to ask if the office might be able to order the vaccine, and she also referred me to the private company in lieu of the health department clinics.

 

So, I have to agree that if anyone is interested in receiving the inoculation prior to their cruise, don't wait too long to inquire, because it seems as though the vaccine may not be readily available.

 

The kicker to all of this is that we're going to Machu Picchu in February, and then to Buenos Aires where we'll board our ship for an Antarctic cruise. We're not required to have a YF innoculation. But as greatam suggested, we're considering future travels and any unexpected scenerio that might present itself on this trip. So we'll probably get the vaccine now and not worry about it in the future.

 

Mary

 

How about going to Philly and hop on a plane to Bermuda for a mini-vacation - make sure it includes a Thursday when the Travel Clinic is open! :D:D

 

Surprisingly, Bermuda is such a tiny island but it contains a great number of residents that love to travel - even to the extremes - so the Travel Clinic here has many many sorts of vaccinations. They give you those little yellow books.

 

Our DS went on a school trip to Peru almost 2 years ago and stayed at Cuzco and visited Machu Picchu and he was required to have YF and Hep A shots for the trip. Hep B was also required but he already got it as part of his childhood vaccinations.

[bluesea777]

We don't travel more than once or twice a year. So do I get this vaccine or not? Our plans for the next year or two include China, India and Panama. I do want to go to Brazil, too. Plus, plans tend to change based on opportunities that may come up on short notice.

 

Considering our February itinerary, we thought to go ahead and inoculate ourselves now.

 

Mary

 

For China and India, make sure you also get typhoid and cholera shots!! Come over to Bermuda first!!:D:D

 

I was an expat brat and attended boarding school in UK whilst parents lived and worked overseas. The school "Surgery" had the most efficient nurse who collected all our yellow books whenever we returned from holidays and went through them to ensure our shots are up to date. She even ordered for vaccinations to be delivered to school so she could administer them herself. Really great, even though we dreaded being called to be "shot"!!

[biker1972]

There is one other thought that never seems to be mentioned when people worry about cost of the yellow fever shot: what would be the cost of getting yellow fever?