Breaking News: Costa Rica’s Health Ministry to Administer 5,000 Additional Doses of WHO)”>Yellow Fever Vaccine
In a proactive measure to bolster public health, the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) of Costa Rica has announced that it will administer an additional 5,000 doses of the yellow fever vaccine between January 13th and 16th. The campaign aims to protect residents and visitors alike, targeting key demographics in multiple provinces.
Who’s Eligible for the Vaccine?
The priority population includes:
- Members of local sports delegations
- Travelers planning trips to risk areas in January, February, and March (with purchased tickets)
- Individuals who require an international yellow fever vaccine certificate
- Others, based on vaccine availability
Where and When Can You Get Vaccinated?
The vaccine will be available at the following locations and times:
- Guanacaste: University of Costa Rica, Guanacaste Campus – January 13th and 14th, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Puntarenas: Universidad Técnica Nacional, Pacífico Regional Campus – January 13th and 14th, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Limón: Gimnasio Eddy Bermúdez – January 13th and 14th, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- San José: Estadio Nacional – January 15th and 16th, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
How to Schedule Your Vaccination
Interested individuals must schedule an appointment through the Ministry of Health’s website, with the option to choose location, date, and time. The appointment scheduling system will be activated until 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 9th.
Please note that the available hours for vaccination may fill up quickly, so don’t miss out on securing your spot. Once an hour slot is booked, it will no longer appear on the form, indicating that no further spaces are available.
Yellow Fever Facts and Precautions
- The virus is transmitted by mosquito bites and can cause symptoms like fever, fatigue, nausea, and muscle pain.
- In severe cases, it may lead to jaundice, liver failure, internal bleeding, and multiple organ damage, with a fatality rate up to 60%.
- Vaccination is highly recommended for travel to risk areas, and the yellow fever vaccine should only be administered once in a lifetime.