The Dominican Republic might require yellow fever vaccination upon entry

This winter season there may be changed requirements related to yellow fever vaccination.

According to the Dominican Republic's General Immigration Directorate, foreign visitors from several countries are already required to own a valid vaccination certificate against the disease. This includes Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. Basically, the vaccination rule has returned again after being suspended last July, due to high incidence of new cases.

However, there are great vaccine products available that travellers can use, approved by the FDA, such as YF-Vax® or Stamaril®, widely utilised worldwide for decades with good results. The vaccine is extremely effective, safe and affordable, while a single dose is sufficient to grant protection.

According to the CDC, yellow fever is a rare, yet dangerous disease. However, most persons infected with the virus will either have no symptoms at all or will have minimal signs and recover fully. The infection is tracked down by laboratory tests, symptoms, and travel history.

Symptomatic individuals will experience a 3 to 6 days incubation period, followed by unpleasant manifestations like fever, chills, headache, backache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and muscle pains. A small percentage of infected people will gradually develop jaundice, bleeding, shock and even organ failure. The disease can in some (rare) cases also be fatal.

Persons who display signs of the illness are advised to urgently contact their doctor and receive intensive medical care. Because of the high risk of contacting the disease, people aiming to visit the Dominican Republic are invited to vaccinate themselves and acquire immunity against the yellow fever. Travellers should also know that both vaccination and infection with the disease result in lifelong natural immunity.

And yellow fever is not the only dangerous disease is the area, as dengue has also been reported across the Caribbean.

Dengue fever is not usually fatal, but it can be extremely painful. Symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, aches and pains across multiple body parts. People who get dengue fever will generally feel better after several days and get back to their lives in about a month. But this is also a vaccine-preventable disease and people travelling to the Dominican Republic are officially advised to include this shot on their list of holiday protective measures.

The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean area. If aiming to visit the Dominican Republic, please stay informed about latest updates and border requirements.

 

Source: vaxbeforetravel.com