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Do I Need Yellow Fever Vaccine for Panama?
Yellow Fever is spread from the bite of an infected mosquito and 30-60% of people who develop severe symptoms die. The virus responsible for yellow fever disease is present in parts of Panama, so travelers to certain provinces are recommended the yellow fever vaccine before arrival. In general, if you plan to travel east of the Panama Canal, such as Darien Province, there is risk for infection. The vaccine is highly effective with over 95% of people developing protective immunity within a week from immunization.
Is Yellow Fever Required for Panama?
Depending on your travel plans, the yellow fever vaccine may be required for entry to Panama. If you plan to visit other countries where yellow fever is a risk before entering Panama, proof of vaccination can be required. Thirteen countries in South America and more than thirty countries in Africa do have risk for yellow fever, so if your itinerary includes a visit to multiple countries, it’s best to seek advice before you leave.
Additional Vaccine Recommendations for Panama
Several routine and travel immunizations are suggested by public health agencies before visiting Panama. Highly recommended vaccines include diseases spread from food and water such as Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever. Keep in mind, some vaccines given in childhood may be good for years to life-time while others need to be repeated more often. If you are unable to find your shot record, you can consider a titer immunity test to see if you have previously been immunized.
Vaccines to Protect Against Food and Water Illness:
Vaccines to Prevent Person-to-Person Illness:
Vaccine to Protect from Animal Bites
Do I Need Malaria Tablets for Panama?
While there is no malaria in the capital Panama City nor in the “Canal Zone” of Panama, other regions of the country do have risk for malaria. Malaria is more common in less developed/rural forested areas of Panama, and the risk is higher east of the Panama Canal. According to the CDC, there is some risk for malaria west of the Canal Zone, and malaria medication may be recommended. Because malaria can be result in serious and sometimes life-threatening symptoms, preventing an infection is important. Several options for malaria pills are available, and are very well tolerated for most people. In the United States, malaria tablets are by prescription only and picked-up at your pharmacy.
Other Mosquito Illnesses
While traveling to Panama, it’s important to protect against mosquito bites with quality insect repellents such as DEET and permethrin. Because there is no licensed vaccine in the US to protect against Dengue Fever, your best defense is avoiding bites altogether. Dengue Fever can leave travelers with severe flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, rash, and sometimes hospitalization.
The same mosquito species that transmits Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever in Panama also spreads an illness called Chikungunya. A vaccine to prevent this debilitating disease is available in the United States and is recommended for some travelers.