How to Get Immunizations for Paraguay

Paraguay is a land-locked country in the south central part of South America. This is a subtropical area with large forests. There are health risks due to the presence of mosquitoes in those areas, so you should consider getting a yellow fever vaccination. Depending on where you are traveling in Paraguay, you need other immunizations in addition to your normal routine vaccinations.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website to obtain the most recent list of recommended immunizations and to find out how far in advance the vaccinations are needed (see Resources below). Hepatitis A is recommended for all travelers, except young children and pregnant women. The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for certain forested areas in Paraguay. Get immunized for typhoid and rabies when there is a chance of exposure to these illnesses.

2. Review the status of your routine immunizations. Tetanus should be done every 10 years. Get the booster for Mumps-Measles-Rubella (MMR), unless you are pregnant, if you have never received a second vaccination. Get the hepatitis B immunization when at risk through contact with local residents.

3. Find out what the current yellow fever and malaria situation is for Paraguay at the World Health Organization website (see Resources below). Yellow fever and malaria are transmitted by mosquito bites usually in lowland, jungle or forested areas. You may be required to get the yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling to a yellow fever area or mosquito-infested area. Anti-malaria medication is also recommended for lowlands or forested areas.

4. Call your physician at least 2 months prior to your trip to schedule the immunizations at the optimum time before departure. Get hepatitis A and other immunizations 1 month before travel and yellow fever 10 days prior to your trip.

5. Visit your physician at the properly scheduled times for the various vaccinations. Many combination vaccinations are available, such as hepatitis A+B and hepatitis A+typhoid, to reduce the number of pricks. Oral medications are available for typhoid and malaria prevention.

Tips & Warnings

• Take DEET with you for prevention of mosquito bites if you will be visiting lowland or other mosquito infested areas.
• Drink bottled water to prevent typhoid and avoid beverages with ice made from the local water supply.

Resources

• Health information for travel to Paraguay.
• Get health alerts for Paraguay.