Yellow Fever Vaccination in South America
 

Hey,

I am leaving from North Carolina to South America in about a month, and from what I understand, I need a yellow fever vaccination to enter Brasil.

Lonely Planet says that the vaccination is available at some border crossings, but I speak no portuguese, and I dont want to get that far and then not be able to get the shot.

If I get it before I leave it is going to cost me $170 for the injection, and that seems kind of steep to me.

Does anyone know of where I can get a yellow fever vaccination en route to Brasil ( I will be going to pretty much all of the countries except for the Guyanas and Suriname.

Any advice from those of you who have done this before is greatly appreciated.

Josh

Things may be different now, do double check.

Riders have reported being asked to show their YF cert/vaccination at Brasil borders.

From what the internet has to say, yellow fever seems to be almost exclusively confined to people who work in the jungle wherever that mosquito lives that carries it, so I am not very paranoid about needing it for my health. I just really dont want to get my no-portuguese-speaking-ass stuck in no mans land between Brasil and some other country because I dont have the shot.

The Lonely Planet says
"A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers who, within 3 months of arriving in Brazil (or applying for a Brasilian visa) have been in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru (and some african countries)... At most Brazilian borders and major airports there are vaccination posts where you can have the jab (free for foreigners) and get the certificate immediately. But it is wise to do this in advance."

If anybody knows about a border where I can get it (for free!) that would be great. $170 saved is $170 earned (and another 4 days added to my trip!).

I would also be up for it if anyone knew of a place in some other south american country where I might be able to get it, where it might not cost as much.

As always, thanks for posting, I really really appreciate everyone's help around here.

Josh,
Check with your local NC health department travel guy for the up to date info and required shots. I got my shots there and I don't recall them being that expensive.I think my hep A was two shots three months? apart.
I'll be heading down to SA in October so look for another NC tag, maybe we'll meet on the road someplace.

I've got hep and tetanus and everything else I need except yellow fever.

I will check with the health dept for that one.

thanks

I've been over almost all the borders in S.America & was only asked to show a yellow fever certificate crossing from Guyana into Brazil.

Maybe the need depends on your route ?

Was that the only way you entered Brasil?

Did you happen to notice if there was a place at the border where they might give you the injection?