Costa Rica Travel Vaccines

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people visiting the Republic of Costa Rica in November 2024 may be exposed to infectious diseases. The Costa Rica Health Department's Boletín Epidemiológico N°45 was posted in November 2024, confirming that mosquito-transmitted Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, or Zika virus infections have been confirmed and vary by location.

Costa Rica Travel Vaccination Advisories

As of 2024, Canada, the United Kingdom, the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the U.S. CDC have issued travel advisories and vaccine recommendations when visiting Costa Rica and Central America. In 2024, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica and the U.K. NHS issued malaria alerts. The CDC says to check the recommended vaccine list and see a healthcare provider at least a month before visiting Costa Rica.

The U.S. Department of State upgraded its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, Travel Advisory for Costa Rica on December 10, 2024. The U.S. Embassy in San Jose publishes health topics vital to U.S. citizens in Costa Rica and recommends enrolling in NEWSMART to make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you during an emergency and send you safety and security alerts.

Costa Rica Chikungunya

About 40 chikungunya infections have been reported this year as of December 2024. There were 82 chikungunya cases confirmed in Costa Rica in 2023. Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® vaccine is approved in various countries.

Costa Rica Dengue

Costa Rica confirmed that dengue fever is classified as high risk due to increased infections of classic and hemorrhagic and is a year-round health risk. Over 29,700 dengue cases were confirmed in Costa Rica in 2024. During 2023, there were 24,914 dengue cases, an increase from the 7,485 dengue patients reported in 2022. Costa Rica has been included in the U.S. CDC's global dengue advisory. The QDENGA® dengue vaccine is available in various countries in Central America.

Costa Rica Hepatitis

Various hepatitis vaccines are available in Costa Rica. According to data from the Health Surveillance Directorate, the total number of hepatitis A cases during 2024 is 156, with 2,309 cases registered in 2023 and 323 in 2022.

Costa Rica HIV

In Costa Rica, preliminary data from the Health Surveillance Directorate report a total of 816 cases of HIV-AIDS as of November 10, 2023, of which 685 are men and 130 women, with the majority of these cases concentrated in the age group 25 to 29. The provinces with the most reported cases are San José, with 259, and Alajuela, with 119. During the year 2022, a total of 857 cases of HIV-AIDS were registered. There are no HIV vaccines available in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Leprosy

Costa Rica reported over 677 cases of leprosy in 2023. In the Region of the Americas, 24 countries reported 21.398 new leprosy (Hansen's bacillus) cases in 2023.

Costa Rica Malaria Vaccine

In 2024, the PAHO reported 223 locally acquired malaria cases in Costa Rica; 544 were confirmed in 2023, and about 406 locally acquired malaria cases were reported in 2022. Costa Rica's Ministry of Health has implemented a treatment and reduction strategy for Malaria, especially in low-lying zones. Autochthonous (local) cases in the Northern Huetar Region decreased from 378 in 2022 to 128 in 2023, and as of the beginning of October 2024, only eight cases were reported. As of November 2024, neither WHO-approved malaria vaccine is available in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Measles Vaccine

In 2024, MMR vaccines are offered in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Respiratory Viruses

In 2024, Costa Rica offers various flu shots for the 2024-2025 flu season. Costa Rica has developed a national pandemic plan for avian influenza and other respiratory viruses. In September 2024, local media reported that Costa Rica would launch a vaccination campaign against respiratory diseases, including influenza and rhinovirus. The country plans to administer 1.5 million vaccines.

Costa Rica Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination (YF-VAX or Stamaril) certificate (ICVP) may be required at the airport when visiting Costa Rica and arriving from certain South American and/or sub-Saharan African countries.