Vaccinations Colombia 

Colombia is a country where tropical rainforest, Caribbean coastline, major cities and high-altitude mountain regions alternate rapidly. As a result, the health advice can vary considerably within a single trip. In oneregion, mosquito-borne diseases and malaria may be the main concern, while in other areas altitude, food hygiene or contact with animals play a greater role. 

A standard travel consultation is therefore often not sufficient for Colombia. The right preparation depends largely on your itinerary, the length of your stay and the way you travel. 

With the right vaccinations, malaria protection and practical preventive advice, many health risks during your trip can be avoided. 

Our travel nurses in Rotterdam will review with you the appropriate vaccinations, malaria protection and health advice for your journey. 

 

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Which vaccinations do you need for Colombia?

For travel to Colombia, the following vaccinations are recommended in most cases: 

  • Yellow fever
  • DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio)
  • Hepatitis A 

Depending on your trip, additional vaccinations may be required: 

  • Hepatitis B
  • Rabies
  • Dengue
  • Chikungunya 

Which vaccinations you need exactly depends on: 

  • The regions you visit
  • The duration of your stay
  • The season
  • Type of accommodation
  • Contact with local people or animals 

For countries with jungle, coastal areas and high-altitude cities, international travel organisations recommend assessing the health advice according to the specific itinerary. 

Are vaccinations mandatory for Colombia? 

Due to the risk of yellow fever, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for Colombia. 

If you are travelling from a country where yellow fever occurs, this vaccination is mandatory. This also applies if you have had a stopover there lasting more than 12 hours. The vaccination must have been administered at least 10 days before arrival and recorded in an International Certificate of Vaccination. 

In addition, DTP and hepatitis A are routinely recommended for virtually all travellers. 

If you are unsure which vaccinations are mandatory or advisable for your itinerary, we will review this in detail during your consultation. 

Is malaria a risk in Colombia? 

Yes, malaria occurs in some areas of Colombia. 

Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes that are mainly active between sunset and sunrise. Whether you need malaria tablets depends greatly on: 

  • The areas you visit
  • Altitude differences
  • Season
  • Type of trip 

In high-altitude urban areas, malaria is usually not a major risk, but in tropical lowlands and jungle regions additional protection may be necessary. 

During your consultation, we will assess exactly whether malaria tablets are needed for your trip and which type is most suitable for you. 

Travel healthy to Colombia 

In addition to vaccinations, there are several health risks to consider during your trip. These include: 

  • Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus
  • Malaria in certain tropical regions
  • Rabies through contact with animals
  • Traveller’s diarrhoea from food and drinking water
  • Altitude sickness in high-altitude areas 

Mosquito protection is essential both during the day and in the evening, because different infectious diseases are transmitted at different times of the day. 

Altitude sickness can also occur when staying above 2,500 metres, particularly in mountain regions and high-altitude cities. 

We provide practical health advice, mosquito prevention measures and, where necessary, additional medication. 

When should you get vaccinations for Colombia? 

 We recommend making an appointment 4 to 6 weeks before departure. 

Some vaccinations need time to provide optimal protection. In addition, any additional vaccinations and malaria medication should be carefully aligned with your travel itinerary. 

Even if your departure date is approaching, we can in many cases still provide a suitable travel consultation. 

Why choose Corporate Travel Clinic?

  • For both private individuals and business travellers
  • Originating from the Harbour Hospital and Institute for Tropical Diseases
  • Over 100 years of experience in travel medicine
  • Personalised advice, always in line with the latest guidelines from the National Coordination Centre for Travellers’ Health Advice (LCR)
  • LCR-certified
  • Centrally located in Rotterdam
  • Easily accessible by public transport with convenient parking options
  • No waiting times, fast appointments available
  • Family appointments possible

 

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Want to know more?

If you would like more background information about vaccinations and healthy travel to Colombia, please consult our frequently asked questions.