Destination Panama

Yellow Fever Vaccination in Panama

Yellow Fever Vaccinations in Panama
We recently had a friend from Canada visiting who is on her way to Asia later this year. She discovered here that if she visits Panama she needs to have a Yellow Fever shot to enter many other countries because Yellow Fever can sometimes be found in the country of Panama in the far outlying areas. There are quite a number of countries (check this website for the list: http://www.who.int/ith/countries/2008_country_list.pdf) with Yellow Fever Vaccination requirements. Once you get the vaccination it is good for 10 years, and when traveling to any countries which require that you have the shots you must carry your vaccination booklet.

Yellow fever is a mosquito born virus, carried by the Aedes and Haemagogus species of mosquito which is prevalent during daylight hours. It is recommended that you protect yourself by having a vaccination and using mosquito lotion regularly. In Panamanian cities and towns there are regular inspections by the Department of Health for mosquito breeding areas, and they also spray often especially during rainy season.

World Health Organization Yellow Fever recommendations for Panama: Vaccination is recommended for all travelers who are going to the Province of Darien, the region Kuna Yala (old San Blas), East Panama including the districts of Chep, Chiman and Balboa. This does not include the City of Panama and the Panama Canal area (old Canal Zone).

I had been investigating vaccinations and which are possible to get in Panama. That is when the nurses told me that the Department of Health offers a FREE Yellow Fever vaccination program for everyone. That´s right FREE. That includes Panamanians, foreign residents, and visitors. You do have to pay $5 for your registration of the shot and your vaccination booklet.

My friend and I both were both inoculated. I was impressed with the speed of service (there were no other patients there), cleanliness, and the nurses were helpful, knowledgeable and kind. The health facility itself was a basic tropical clinic but it was clean and organized.

I should add this is not a new program but has been offered for some time now and I just did not have the time to get out to the clinic.

I am a sucker for punishment, so I am now on a quest to find the other Panamanian clinics which offer inoculations as well. The nurse told us that the Department of Health Public Clinics throughout Panama offer vaccinations which are on their regular schedule of recommended childhood and adult shots such as hepatitis, tetanus, etc… for no charge or very limited charges. They also will have the flu vaccine at certain times of year. That will be our next mission, to find the clinics, schedules and prices…

Yellow Fever Vaccinations are available at the Department of Health (Salud) Clinic in Clayton, look for the IDAAN sign on the right on the street just before the Crossroads Church (if you see the church you have gone too far) on the way to Miraflores Locks. The clinic is open 7:30 am until noon Monday Thru Saturday.