Peru/Bolivia trip

bananajoe

We are going on this trip in July and have not been able to narrow down whether yellow fever vaccination is required for entering Bolivia from Peru. The CDC says it is if you have been in Peru which is listed on the WHO list for yellow fever for more than 12 hours prior to entering Bolivia. Can anyone tell me if this is the case. Is the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate requirement needed? Thank you

AlanS

I haven't been to Bolivia, but the CDC and the US Embassy in La Paz and all other websites I checked, say a Yellow Fever immunization (and shot card) is "required" to enter Bolivia, regardless whether you are entering from a listed risk country like Peru. the CDC adds that the "requirement can change with little notification." I couldn't find the requirement on the Bolivian Embassy or Consulate websites, but maybe others have found it. All other sources I found contained this CDC text or something similar, "although the western parts of Bolivia, such as La Paz and Sucre, are not considered to be at risk for yellow fever, the government of Bolivia requires the vaccination for all travelers over one year of age in order to obtain a visa."

Regardless of whether it is a "requirement", since Bolivia is on the PanAm HO list of countries with reported cases of Yellow Fever, I would go ahead and get a Yellow Fever shot as well as others recommended by the CDC and/or your travel doctor.

British

I agree with Alan, plus have you seen a Dr. Specializing in Travel Medicine and who you have given your Heath history? Your trip is only two months away, all your shot requirements should be already sorted and done.

bananajoe

Thank you for your information. Yes I have been to see a travel specialist and he gave me the information but also could not conclude 100% if it was needed, but did recommend it. We have had all other shots, but just need to verify the yellow fever since we are over 60 and it looked a little risky. We have concluded from your information though and all our research that we will definitely get the vaccination. Thank you.

desizgned

I can say it is not required if you are coming from a country without yellow fever ie states however we are going on this trip in Oct. and were just in Argentina in February. Went to infectious disease Dr. before we left, we got the yellow fever as it is good for 10 years. I did get bit by something in the Pampas area and highly recommend getting all appropriate vaccines before leaving. Yellow fever although not necessarily present in those specific areas at the time it is a devastating disease.

WilliamK

We are traveling later this year and have similar questions concerning yellow fever vaccination. Dr. is not recommending for medical reasons for some in our party, so real issue for us as to whether is or is not required by Bolivian government. For those traveling recently, was proof of vaccination required to enter Bolivia? Thanks.

British

Proof-- if it happens the same as when you visit other countries, it seems that some people are asked for proof and some are not, it's very random. I certainly would not want to go all that way and either be refused entry or given the vaccine locally and then wait however many days you have to wait for it to be effective. Tauck make it clear they are not responsible if people do not have correct vaccination requirements.
Latest research questions whether more than one injection is ever needed, originally it was good for ten years, but apparently no one who has had one shot for Yellow Fever has ever subsequently contracted the disease even when ten years was passed. Glad I have had a shot, almost coming up to ten years, but this new research has not been given the go by all countries, so looks as if I may have to get another soon before I travel to more exotic locations.