Mandatory and optional vacinations for Central and South America
 

Does anyone have a definitive list of *mandatory* vaccinations required for all Central and South Americans countries?

Whilst getting those done, are there optional vaccinations recommended by people here and why?

Yellow fever vaccinations are required y some countries, for entry ro some coutries where it is endemic, and sometimes for entry where it is not endemic.
US CDC would be a good reference for other vaccinations.
BTW it is almost certsin that you will get lots of advice that you can get away without yellow fever, but first check the outcome of getting it such as up to 25% death rate. What you can do though is get it further south and save big money compared to big pharma charges back home

Those with deep pockets might like to get rabies vaccinations, or again, get them further south.
Update tetanus shots too.
Malaria prevention is always worth considering, but now that zika and a couple of others are taking centre stage, some probably just try and limit exposure to mozzie bites instead.
Some such as hepatitis, require a course of shots so start early

Our local GP (UK) offered a great service. We attended a first session detailing where we expected to travel. They came up with a course of shots to be administered over a 3 month period prior to departure. I think they can speed the process up a little if you are starting to travel sooner than a few months time?
At the end we were presented with a yellow fever certificate and a printout of all the other injections.
The malaria tablets we sourced on line (cheaper) we had some help in deciding which ones best suited our needs.

Google for 'travel clinics' in your local area. They will be able to give you good medical advice for travel.

I think the suggestion above of looking at the CDC web site is also a good starting point for advice.

Just looking back on my 'Yellow Shot Card'- Since 2002, I've had vaccinations for:

Hepatitis A,
Hep B,
Polio up date,
Typhoid,
Tetanus booster,
annual flu shots,
Yellow fever.

I would ask a a local travel clinic for recommendations, as brclarke suggested.

I have a fair amount of travel experience in Turkey and Central Asia, Mexico and South America but I've never been asked to produce proof of vaccinations anywhere.



................shu