Belize-Bound: Understanding Essential Immunizations

If you're planning a trip to Belize, it's important to ensure that you're up to date with all the necessary immunizations to protect your health. The recommended vaccinations for Belize include COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Additionally, boosters for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) are also advised. It is also worth noting that there is a risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya in Belize, so taking precautions against mosquito bites is essential. Consult with a healthcare professional or travel clinic to determine which specific vaccines and medications are right for you based on your travel plans and health history.

Hepatitis A and B

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants at birth and for children up to 18 years. It is also recommended for adults living with diabetes and those at high risk of infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations, or country of birth. The hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups.

The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and can provide a lifetime of protection against a preventable chronic liver disease. It is also known as the first "anti-cancer" vaccine because it prevents hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide.

To be fully protected against hepatitis B, all doses of the vaccine are required. A simple blood test can confirm whether the vaccination was successful by checking the "antibody titers".

Rabies

• Living or working in remote or rural areas with limited access to medical facilities
• Staying in Belize for an extended period
• Planning activities such as trekking, cycling, or running
• Working with or handling animals or bats
• Children

Urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin, even if you have received a pre-travel rabies vaccine.

• Staying with friends or relatives
• Visiting smaller cities or rural areas
• Staying in Belize long-term
• Likely to come in contact with animals

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine that protects against three serious illnesses: measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). It is recommended that everyone gets the MMR vaccine, and it is especially important for children. The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Children may also receive the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against chickenpox, at these ages.

Measles, mumps, and rubella are viral diseases that can have severe complications. Measles typically causes fever, coughing, a runny nose, pink eye, and a rash that spreads across the body. It can also lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. Mumps causes similar flu-like symptoms and can result in swelling of the glands on one or both sides of the face. It can also spread to other tissues, causing swollen ovaries or testicles, encephalitis or meningitis, and hearing loss. Rubella, or German measles, usually causes a mild rash on the face, swelling of glands, and sometimes swelling of the small joints and a low-grade fever. If contracted during pregnancy, rubella can cause a miscarriage or congenital disorders such as heart problems, deafness, learning difficulties, and low birth weight.

The MMR vaccine is safe and effective at preventing these diseases, and it is much safer to get the vaccine than to risk getting measles, mumps, or rubella. While side effects from the vaccine are generally mild, some possible side effects include a sore arm from the injection, redness or a rash at the injection site, fever, and temporary pain and stiffness in the joints (more common in teenage or adult women). More serious side effects are rare but can include seizures (often associated with fever) and a temporary low platelet count that can cause unusual bleeding or bruising. People with severe allergies or weakened immune systems should be cautious about getting the MMR vaccine, and pregnant people should not get the vaccine.

The MMR vaccine has been widely used around the world, with over 575 million doses administered since its introduction. It has significantly reduced the number of deaths from measles and other diseases, and rates of disease have decreased in populations with high vaccination rates.

Chikungunya

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily spread by two types of mosquitoes: Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus. These mosquitoes bite during the daytime and lay their eggs in containers with standing water. While there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Chikungunya, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites. This can be done by using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing that covers the skin, and sleeping under mosquito nets.

In Belize, there have been reported cases of the Chikungunya virus. The CDC recommends that unvaccinated travellers one year old or older going to Belize get vaccinated against Chikungunya. Additionally, the CDC suggests that the following groups of people may consider getting the Chikungunya vaccine:

• People aged 65 years or older, especially those with underlying medical conditions, who may spend at least 2 weeks (cumulative time) in areas where mosquitoes are present in Belize.
• People planning to stay in Belize for a cumulative period of 6 months or more.

It is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider to determine which vaccinations are necessary for your specific travel plans and health status.

Zika

In addition to Zika, there is also a risk of other mosquito-borne illnesses in Belize, such as malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya virus.

Frequently asked questions