Vaccinations For Bolivia: Essential Travel Shots

If you're planning a trip to Bolivia, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations. The CDC and WHO recommend several vaccinations for Bolivia, including typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, and more. In addition to these routine vaccines, it's also important to consider other factors such as your itinerary, personal risk factors, and the length of your stay. For example, if you plan to spend time in areas with a risk of yellow fever transmission, you may need to get a yellow fever vaccine and carry an official vaccination certificate.

Other recommended vaccinations include chickenpox, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis. It is also advised to be up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, insect-borne diseases are a concern in Bolivia, so consider getting vaccinated against chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A is spread by consuming contaminated food or drinks, or by touching things or people that have been contaminated and then touching your mouth. The risk of contracting Hepatitis A is higher if you are travelling to countries where the virus is present in the local population or where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor. Hepatitis A is recommended for most travellers to Bolivia.

Hepatitis B is spread through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids. This can occur through sexual contact or contact with contaminated needles and medical instruments. Mothers with the virus can also transmit the infection to their baby during childbirth. The risk of contracting Hepatitis B is higher for those visiting more frequently, staying longer, visiting friends and relatives, and those who may require medical treatment during their travel. Hepatitis B is recommended for travellers to most regions in Bolivia.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective and is recommended for all infants at birth and for children up to 18 years. The vaccine 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 also known as the first "anti-cancer" vaccine because it prevents Hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is available at your doctor's office and local health department or clinic. All doses of the vaccine are required to be fully protected against Hepatitis B.

Yellow fever

In Bolivia, yellow fever is found east of the Andes. Regions over 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) do not have the virus. All travellers over 9 months should be vaccinated if travelling to the eastern regions. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

The vaccine is recommended for travel to the following departments in Bolivia: Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, La Paz, and Tarija. It is not recommended for regions under 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) in elevation, including the cities of La Paz and Sucre.

To prevent mosquito bites, travellers should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, preferably treated with permethrin, and stay in buildings with window screens. Insect repellent containing 20% or more DEET can also help protect against mosquito bites.

In addition to yellow fever, other recommended or required vaccines for Bolivia include typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Malaria

If you have been travelling in a malaria-endemic area and develop a fever, seek medical attention promptly. Malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure. If travelling to remote areas, carrying standby emergency treatment for malaria may be considered.

Typhoid

To prevent typhoid, it is important to practice good hygiene and consider vaccination when travelling to high-risk areas. The typhoid shot lasts for 2 years, while the oral vaccine lasts for 5 years. It is important to note that the oral vaccine must be kept in the refrigerator and the individual must be able to swallow pills.

In addition to getting vaccinated, there are other ways to stay healthy and safe when travelling to Bolivia. It is important to make wise food choices by familiarizing yourself with the local cuisine and favouring established restaurants. It is also crucial to wash your hands frequently and avoid street food, opting for thoroughly cooked food instead.

Other recommended vaccinations for Bolivia include hepatitis A, polio, yellow fever, chikungunya, rabies, hepatitis B, influenza, COVID-19, pneumonia, meningitis, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Rabies

A series of three pre-exposure rabies vaccination shots is advised for persons planning an extended stay or work assignments in remote and rural areas, particularly in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. The pre-exposure series simplifies medical care if the person has been bitten by a rabid animal and gives enough time to travel from a remote area to seek medical attention. Although this provides adequate initial protection, two additional post-exposure doses are required if exposure to the virus occurs. The preferred vaccines for rabies pre-exposure vaccination and post-exposure therapy are HDCV (Human Diploid Cell Rabies Vaccine) and PCECV (Purified Chick Embryo Cell Vaccine). These two vaccines are interchangeable.

If you are bitten or scratched by a mammal, wash the wound repeatedly and thoroughly with soap and water, and irrigate it with an antiseptic. Seek medical attention immediately.

Frequently asked questions