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If you're travelling to South America, it's likely that you will end up going to multiple countries with Peru and Bolivia often a popular combination. Planning and preparing your travel vaccines for Bolivia is very important because of the wide range of diverse landscapes and activities that you might encounter. Before you travel make sure that you've had all your childhood vaccinations (MMR, diphtheria, tetanus and polio) and they're up-to-date. Most people will require typhoid and hepatitis A as these are food and waterborne diseases that are common in the tropics. Yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis and rabies are more specialist travel vaccines for Bolivia you should consider. Which of these travel vaccines you need will depend on a careful travel risk assessment and recommendations from travel health specialists, like us. For example, you wouldn't need yellow fever vaccination if you're trekking in the Andes but you would if you’re planning to explore the amazonian rainforest. If you're not sure and would like expert advice, just give us a call and we'll be happy to guide you on the necessary vaccines for Bolivia To give you an idea, the table below summarises what vaccinations for Bolivia you might need.
What travel vaccinations do I need for Bolivia?
Make sure to remember that the travel vaccinations you need for Bolivia depend on a few factors:
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which areas you will be visiting
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the time of the year
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what kind of activities you will be participating in
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your age and general health
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and on your individual risk assessment
Make sure to remember that the travel vaccinations you need for Bolivia depend on a few factors:
-
which areas you will be visiting
-
the time of the year
-
what kind of activities you will be participating in
-
your age and general health
-
and on your individual risk assessment
So the table is only a guide and you will need to ask us for expert travel health advice
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Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases or one of his highly trained clinical colleagues will be looking after your Bolivia vaccine requirements. Find out more about the Health Klinix team.
Who will be providing your travel injections for Bolivia?
"We've already said that your vaccinations for Bolivia are important for planning your trip, but there are other risks that aren’t preventable by vaccines.
One potential risk is altitude sickness in the Andes, especially for those visiting La Paz or other high-altitude locations. To minimise your risk, it is recommended to spend a few days at a lower altitude before ascending to higher altitudes and to avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise for the first few days.
For more information on altitude sickness in the South American Andes, take a look at our Peru information. If you’re not sure talk to us for specialist advice and whether you might benefit from high altitude sickness tablets, such as acetazolamide (Diamox)."
Dr Gowda's top tip for travel to Bolivia
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Frequently asked questions
The total cost is likely to vary depending on which vaccinations you need for your trip. You can see the recommended vaccinations and the price per dose in the table above.
Please note; you will need to book a Travel Consultation before we can administer your vaccinations and this cost is £30.
This usually depends on the vaccinations you have. A single shot of yellow fever vaccine lasts a lifetime whereas others may require multiple doses or regular boosters. For example, you need a typhoid booster every 3 years.
We recommend booking your vaccinations at least 6 weeks before you travel but realise that is not always possible. Even if you’re very short of time, chat to us as we can advise you on faster courses that will still give you good protection.
Most travel vaccinations to Bolivia are well tolerated and you’ll have few reactions. Common side effects you might experience include pain, swelling and redness at the injection site.
You should be able to have most inactivated vaccines (like hepatitis A) after a risk assessment from a specialist in travel health. You’ll need to avoid live vaccines and areas where there’s a risk of malaria because the infection is more severe in pregnancy.
Most vaccines can be given although some will be paediatric doses. Be aware that other vaccines like yellow fever will have lower age limits.
You should have an even lower threshold for vaccinations if you have other medical problems because you might have more severe infections compared to a healthy individual.
There is no risk of malaria in the Andes part of Bolivia (more than 2500 metres) and La Paz. There’s a low risk of malaria in the Amazon Basin and rural parts of Bolivia, so the general advice is to avoid mosquito bites rather than taking malaria tablets. However, in some situations you may need to take malaria tablets particularly if you are vulnerable. Examples include prolonged stay in rural areas, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems or multiple medical problems.
Recommended malaria tablets for Bolivia
In some cases you may need malaria tablets for Bolivia, so we’ve created a helpful table as a guide (see below) Which malaria tablets for Bolivia you need will depend upon your individual circumstances and so please ask us for advice.
Although you may not need malaria tablets in Bolivia, it’s still important that you are aware of the risk of malaria. Make sure you avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent and sleeping under mosquito nets. Just remember malaria tablets are not 100% effective and you will therefore need to take additional precautions.Malaria risk map for Bolivia
CDC Yellow Book
You're at risk of yellow fever in some parts of Bolivia, particularly the Amazonian basin and rural areas below 2500 metres. For yellow fever risk and a detailed map of where you might need the yellow fever vaccine for Bolivia see below.
Yellow fever risk map for Bolivia
Source: CDC. Use of these images does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the CDC
If you’re into stunning landscapes, a rich vibrant culture, and a fascinating history then look no further. Located in the heart of the Andes Mountains, Bolivia is home to numerous natural wonders, such as the Uyuni Salt Flats, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon Rainforest. You can also explore the colonial architecture of cities like Sucre and Potosí, visit traditional markets like La Paz's Witches' Market, and experience the vibrant music and dance of the country's indigenous communities. Just remember, travelling in Bolivia can be challenging due to its high altitude, rugged terrain, and limited infrastructure in some areas. You’ll need to acclimatise to the high altitude gradually to avoid altitude sickness, and to research transportation options beforehand. However, if you plan carefully and have an open mind, Bolivia can be an incredibly rewarding destination for adventurous travellers looking to explore a unique and diverse country. Whatever you do, it is important that you travel safely and so we recommend you contact us for advice on vaccines for Bolivia.
All about Bolivia
Additional health advice and risks for Bolivia
You may also be at risk of the following diseases:
There’s a yellow fever vaccine certificate requirement under International Health Regulations if you’re coming from another country where there’s a risk of yellow fever. Having said this, an important point to note is that the Bolivian Ministry of Health has recommended that all individuals visiting at-risk areas should carry a yellow fever card. We can issue you a yellow fever card for Bolivia if you need one.
Bolivia vaccine certificate requirements
Authors:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP (UK), DTM &H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
Caitlin Lancaster, BSc
Resources: