brightonbeachspotter

I have some family members going to Brazil in December for a cruise (Rio, Buzios, Ilha Grande, down eventually to Buenos Aires).

I can’t recall whether I got the yellow fever vaccine when I visited Brazil and I went to the Amazon in addition to the region above.

Is it advisable to get one? Please no political stuff just asking on behalf of my family.

Thanks.

Xyzzy

In 2017 CDC changed its suggestions regarding YF vaccinations and Brazil to include basically the whle country because of outbreaks in Rio and São Paulo (search this page for "2017"). YF is transmitted where there is a large human population (ex: cities) so IMHO it is advisable to get the vaccination, but Brasil does not require YF vaccinations. FWIW, YF vaccinations are now good for life whereas a while back a booster was required after 10 years.

SanDiego1K

It can be tough to find the vaccine. At least 3 or 4 years ago it was in short supply. Have your family members search now for the vaccine. Then have them use a World Health card to have it recorded and keep that record. I've got a ratty old card that I've used for decades. I'm glad that I've got the yellow fever vaccine recorded as it is now one and done.

cheltzel

I don't know the availability outside the Chicago area, but there is a travel medicine business (Passport Health) that has on demand access to the YF vaccine. They have fast service on this stuff but are a bit pricey. So you may want to shop around. I believe it is available at many large medical school related hospitals (like the University of Illinois Hospital)..

brightonbeachspotter

Thank you all for your feedback and recommendations!

yulianman

Hello

Recent experience here. I went to Brazil last weekend, to attend the Formula 1 race, in Sao Paulo. Nobody asked me for the vaccine, but I took the shot before travel. I also went in 2017 but it wasn't recommended for Sao Paulo area at the time. Now is recommended for all the Brazilian territory (I think it changed in 2018).
I was a little bit afraid because i have a colleague who travel to Colombia and she vaccinated and had a strong reaction to the vaccine, feeling so sick that she had to visit the ER in the middle of the night. But other colleagues had also vaccinated to travel other parts of Brazil; my brother and his wife also vaccinated, and nothing happened to them, and nothing happened to me as well. So maybe she was the unlucky 1/10000 person who can get some adverse reactions.

My recommendation; take the vaccine. Your relatives will feel more safe and confident about the situation, the vaccine will last forever, and won't be afraid of mosquitoes (there are A LOT of mosquitoes there). You have to take it at least 10 days before traveling to get the protection.

boboqui

“Spreading diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis, the mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world.”

Fighting the World’s Deadliest Animal