How to Get Immunizations Needed Before Traveling to Panama

Of course there's the canal, which takes 8 hours to pass through and represents an engineering marvel. Panama is a Spanish-speaking country; however, many Panamanians also speak English. If you are traveling outside of Panama City, medical help may be limited. It's wise to take preventative measures before, during and after you trip to stay healthy. Getting recommended immunizations is one way to protect yourself from illness or disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site to obtain the most current list of recommended immunizations and to find out how far in advance the vaccination is needed. Hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended for all travelers, except infants and pregnant women. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for several areas in Panama. A rabies vaccination may be necessary for extended trips or when there is a risk of exposure.

2. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine immunizations. Get the Mumps-Measles-Rubella (MMR) booster, unless pregnant, if you never received a second vaccination. Tetanus should be updated every 10 years. Individuals who risk exposure to Hepatitis B, as well as children who did not receive the series as infants, should receive this additional vaccination.

3. Find out the current yellow fever vaccination requirements and malaria situation for Panama at the World Health Organization Web site. Yellow fever and malaria are both transmitted by mosquito bites. Yellow fever is a risk in several parts of Panama. Malaria is a low risk in some areas, and anti-malaria medication is recommended when traveling to infected areas.

4. Call your doctor at least two months in advance of your trip to make an appointment to receive the Hepatitis A and other routine immunizations at least four weeks before departure. If the yellow fever vaccination is required, schedule to receive it ten days prior to your trip.

5. Visit your doctor to get the scheduled immunizations. An oral typhoid vaccine is available for travelers who are at least 6 years old, and an injection is approved for those over age 2. When traveling to a malaria-risk area, get an anti-malaria drug and start taking it before your trip as directed.

Tips & Warnings

• The tap water is safe to drink in Panama.
• When traveling to malaria-risk areas, pack long-sleeve shirts, long pants and a hat to protect yourself against insect bites. Also bring mosquito repellent containing DEET, and in some cases, insecticide-treated mosquito netting is a good precautionary measure
• Continue taking anti-malarial medication for four weeks after your return or as prescribed by your doctor.
• All of the mentioned immunizations have possible side effects which include soreness, and redness at the site of the injection. You may also experience headache, nausea and abdominal pain.
• Travelers over 1 year old arriving from areas infected with yellow fever, must provide an "International Certificate of Vaccination" as proof of the immunization. Ask your doctor for this document when receiving a yellow fever vaccination.
• If you become ill with flu-like symptoms while traveling or for up to a year after your return, seek medical attention immediately to rule out malaria.

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