MUST YOU GET THE SHOT?: There are different answers to the question must you get it or not? I just had our family doctor call the ministry and ask if my my husband needs the shot because he is flying from Japan through US. They said no. On the other hand I spoke to the nurse this morning and they said everyone needs them. We choose for the moment to listen to the doctor. I suspect it is a good idea to get it anyway since until they are clear on who needs them or not, it will give you peace of mind.
Please do not take my opinion as the rule because today I got 2 different answers.
Panamanian Ministry of Health (MINSA) issued a notification 089-DE/0091-DGS/MS stating that they will begin to enforce the requirement on Wednesday, 1 October 2008.
This is the Machine Translation of the article from La Crticia:
All travellers coming from countries in risk of transmission of yellow fever will have to be properly vaccinated. The measurement adopted by the governmental, aeroportuarias authorities and of health will begin to prevail to divide the next Wednesday first of October. In a document of the World-wide Organization of the Health one notices that in ” case of appearing a passenger without such accreditation, will be given back to the country from where it comes by the airline company that transportó”. The vaccine that can be applied free in the aerial and terrestrial terminals of Colombia has a use of 10 years and will have to be applied at least 10 days before arriving at Panama.
Spanish Version
Panamá exigirá certificado de vacuna contra fiebre amarilla
Redaccíón | Crítica en Línea
Todo viajero procedente de países en riesgo de transmisión de fiebre amarilla deberá estar debidamente vacunado.
La medida adoptada por las autoridades gubernamentales, aeroportuarias y de salud empezará a regir a partir el próximo miércoles primero de octubre.
En un documento de la Organización Mundial de la Salud se advierte que en “caso de presentarse un pasajero sin tal acreditación, será devuelto al país de donde procede por la compañía aérea que lo transportó”.
La vacuna que se puede aplicar de forma gratuita en los terminales aéreos y terrestres de Colombia tiene una vigencia de 10 años y deberá ser aplicada al menos 10 días antes de llegar a Panamá.
Who is on the list? What countries require Yellow Fever inoculation certificates?
In the list with Panama, there are quite a number of countries (check this website for the list: List of countries where yellow fever is required) with Yellow Fever Vaccination requirements. Once you get the vaccination it is good for 10 years, and when traveling to any countries which require that you have the shots you must carry your vaccination booklet.
About Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a mosquito born virus, carried by the Aedes and Haemagogus species of mosquito which is prevalent during daylight hours. It is recommended that you protect yourself by having a vaccination and using mosquito lotion regularly. In Panamanian cities and towns there are regular inspections by the Department of Health for mosquito breeding areas, and they also spray often especially during rainy season.
Getting Your Shot
The nurses told me that the Department of Health offers a FREE Yellow Fever vaccination program for everyone. That´s right FREE. That includes Panamanians, foreign residents, and visitors. You do have to pay $5, that is for your registration of the shot and your vaccination booklet.
I was inoculated and impressed with the speed of service (there were no other patients there), cleanliness, and the nurses were helpful, knowledgeable and kind. The health facility itself was a basic tropical clinic but it was clean and organized.
This is not a new program but has been offered for some time now and I just did not have the time to get out to the clinic.
Yellow Fever Vaccinations are available at the Department of Health (Salud) Regional Health Center – “International Immunization Center” Clinic in Clayton (Corozal), look for the IDAAN sign on the right on the street just before the Crossroads Church (if you see the church you have gone too far) on the way to the Miraflores Locks.
HOURS:
MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 7:30 A.M. TO 12:00 NOON AND FROM 1:00PM TO 3:00 P.M.
Phone: 512-6600 and 512-6666.
Tomorrow I will call the department myself and have more information for my readers. Thanks.