Central America and Mexico Risks and Other Information

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Vaccines

CDC recommends the following vaccines for travel to Central America and Mexico (as appropriate for age):

See your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect.

Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).

Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers) or travelers who have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or might be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.

Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.

Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region.

Yellow fever, for travelers to Panama who will be going outside urban areas.

As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diptheria and measles.