How to Get Immunizations Needed Before Traveling to Cuba

All U.S. citizens and permanent residents must be licensed for travel to Cuba, including from a third country such as Mexico. Tourist travel to Cuba is not licensable. Although travel to Cuba poses high political risks, the health risks are low.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

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. 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 Cuba at the World Health Organization Web site. Yellow fever and malaria are both transmitted by mosquito bites and Cuba does not currently have areas infected with these illnesses.
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.
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.

Tips & Warnings

• 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 at least one year old, arriving in Cuba from a country 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.
• Eat food that is well cooked and drink only bottled water to prevent typhoid. Avoid dairy products that aren't pasteurized and beverages that contain ice.