INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR JAMAICA
Jamaica is free from cholera, yellow fever, malaria, poliomyelitis, measles (rubella) and many communicable diseases which are endemic to (or routinely occurring in) other countries. Jamaica successfully implemented its national immunization programme against vaccine preventable diseases, including routine schedule for measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and poliomyelitis.
It is of paramount importance that the reintroduction of diseases such as Measles and Diphtheria do not occur. However, based on change in the pattern of occurrences in recent times, current condition of particular concern for international travel and health considerations are measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and yellow fever.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that all travelers (domestic and international) should be up to date with routine vaccinations. Travelers should be advised to check that they have been fully vaccinated against measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and poliomyelitis before starting their travel. Non-immunized or incompletely immunized travelers should be offered the routine vaccinations recommended in their national immunization schedules, in addition to those needed for international travel. In relation to international travel, the WHO has stipulations for the yellow fever vaccine.
Health and Travel Requirements for Entry to Jamaica
All persons entering Jamaica are to ensure that they are adequately immunized prior to arrival.
Yellow Fever
International vaccination requirements for Jamaica, state that:
All persons older than one year, who are travelling from a country where there is a risk of Yellow Fever transmission, and persons who are transiting through a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission for more than twelve hours, are required to show proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever before entering the country. Persons arriving from countries with areas considered infected with yellow fever by the World Health Organization, or who have been in these countries within six weeks prior to arrival in Jamaica, must ensure that they are adequately immunized against yellow fever and travel with their International Certificate of Vaccination.
Information on International Travel and Health can be obtained from Ministries of Heath or local Public Health Departments in all countries.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificates will be checked on arrival in Jamaica and Health Alert advisory cards issued to remind persons of the symptoms of diseases for which Jamaica is on alert and when to seek treatment. Surveillance measures will be instituted for these persons, which include visits by the staff of the Parish Health Departments to ensure compliance with all instructions.
Nationals of the following countries need to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever to enter the country:
Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Cote d’Ivorie, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, and Venezuela.
Measles, Rubella and Polio
Nationals of the following countries need to show proof of vaccination against measles, rubella and polio:
Albania, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Republic of Slovenia.
Malaria
No travel requirements for Malaria are in place. Persons arriving from countries endemic for Malaria will be interviewed at the Health Desk at the airport.
Other Diseases
Persons who are arriving from countries with risk for transmission of other diseases of public health concern will be treated as per any restrictions/ instructions in place at the time from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Any visitor who experiences signs and symptoms of these and other diseases, is asked to notify the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ medical team doctor immediately, as they are trained to diagnose and treat these diseases or conditions. The medical team is located at the Medical Station at the Jamaica Pegasus.