On January 11, 2025, a new reform will come into effect that will update the risk areas for the spread of yellow fever.
This means the mandatory nature of vaccination against this disease for travelers from some countries in America and Africa.
It will be necessary to enter or leave the country. For this reason, the question arises: what should I do and how can I get the card?
The Observer He spoke to Roberto Arroba, a member of the Vaccination and Epidemiology Commission and an official of the Ministry of Health, who explained basic points.
How many times should it be applied?
“This is a vaccine that is administered only once in a lifetime. It is requested that it be at least 10 days before the trip, because the body needs that time to generate antibodies,” explained Arroba.
According to the expert, yellow fever is a very serious disease, which is fatal in 50% of cases.
“A few years ago it was recommended every 10 years, but studies were able to show that a person spends 30 to 40 years with the antibodies that protect them,” he said.
Check out MORE: Health protects yellow fever vaccination requirement for travelers: these are the exceptions and countries with a requirement from January 2025
How do I confirm that I am vaccinated?
The vaccine is only available in private pharmacies and hospitals; It is not applied by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
At the time of application, the person receives a physical document with all the data, for example, ID number, passport, name, residence and signature of the medical representative.
“As soon as the person has that physical document, they must go to the management area of the Ministry of Health that corresponds to them and apply for the card,” said the expert.
“This is a procedure that can be almost immediate, but not in all cases, because the doctor’s signature is required in this area. Therefore, the recommendation is to do this procedure with enough time in case there is an unexpected event and the exit of the country is not affected,” he suggested.
Who validates the cards to enter or leave the country?
“It is the responsibility of the airlines to verify that when people leave Costa Rica for a country with a risk such as Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, they must be vaccinated against yellow fever; “Applies to nationals and foreigners,” Arroba said.
For their part, when a person comes from any country of risk, it is the Immigration Police officers who must prove that they have the vaccine.
If you are going to risk areas or coming from risk areas for yellow fever, it is a mandatory requirement. (Photo Archive / Spectator)
If I have any contraindications, do I not need the card?
“If a person is against receiving the yellow fever vaccine, they must go to a doctor who will give them a medical certificate (it is digital) that will explain the contraindications,” said Arroba.
With the certificate, you must go to the management area of the Ministry of Health that corresponds to you and apply for the card, where it will be stated that you do not have it, but for medical reasons, and you will be able to the country to leave
Examples of vaccines
Salud specified that people with certain medical conditions do not need the yellow fever vaccine. The following are exempt from this requirement:
- Children under 9 months (if they turn 10 months before the trip, it can be applied).
- People with severe egg allergy (must be confirmed by an allergist).
- People with diseases that affect the immune system (immune-immune).
- Patients who have or have had thymus disease.
Check out MORE: Why should those with cancer of eggs and gelatin not get the yellow fever vaccine?
In addition, there are some relative contraindications, although they do not automatically exempt people, requiring a medical evaluation to determine whether they should receive the vaccine. These are:
- Adults 60 years of age or older (regardless of age, a doctor should evaluate whether the person has chronic diseases or other conditions that mean that the use of the vaccine is not an option the best).
- Pregnant women (it depends on the gestational age and the country you are visiting; the doctor will explain if there is more risk than benefit).
- Breastfeeding women.
- People with hypersensitivity to gelatin (must be confirmed by an allergist).
- People infected with HIV asymptomatically, with adequate immune function.
“We have absolute and relative contraindications, for example in children 9 months or younger. But in the others, you have to have a doctor’s criteria that confirms an allergy or recommends a better application of the vaccine,” said the official.
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is a serious viral disease that is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
The virus belongs to the flavivirus group and is endemic in tropical areas of South America and Africa.
Indications:
- High fever
- Headache
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, hence the name)
- muscle pain
- Nausea
- Fatigue
In the most severe cases, yellow fever can cause liver failure, internal bleeding, and death.
PAHO emphasizes the importance of vaccination, especially for those traveling to areas where yellow fever is endemic.
New danger lands
Because of this, Costa Ricans who want to go to Colombia, Peru, Brazil and 41 other countries must have the yellow fever vaccine.
Here is the full list:
2024-10-30 06:08:00
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