belize in august
 

To those who have travelled to belize: we would stay on Ambergris Caye, although we would like to take a day trip into the interior to see the Mayan ruins.
Do we NEED shots? I contacted the CDC & they recommend them. But they recommend them for like EVERYWHERE, even very commercial places like jamaica & cancun.
How seriously do I need to take this?
Those of you who've travelled there -- did you get shots?

www.mdtravelhealth.com Belize correct health info..

Usual childhood immunizations and Hep A best for me...

insect precautions www.cutteradvanced.com for dengue risk.

Hep is good for home and traveling, but otherwise, use spray if there are mossies out and there might not be.

We didn't get any shots, but we did use mosquito repellent.

We didn't get shots either, but when there were bugs, we did use mosquito repellent too. Just regular Off, nothing special. And both of us are up to date on our regular shots as well, nothing special there.

Hepatitis A is endemic in Central America. It's spread easily by people not washing their hands well after using the bathroom and then handling food. So, you're only as safe as the person handling your food and utensils, no matter how much you wash your own hands.

Hepatitis A vaccine is a series of two injections, six months apart, that gives long term (possibly life time) immunity. If you are over 18, you can get a combo injection of Hep A/Hep B, a series of three injections.

Since you're traveling soon, you won't have time for two injections. However, you should get about 85% protection from the first injection.

More and more states are starting to require Hep A (and B) vaccine for day care and school entry.

Hey guys! what about Mexico city. Are Malaria or Hepatitis easy to get them there?

We got all the ones recommended by the CDC. Likely overkill but we did them.

I do not think the malaria medicine was necessary at all though and I regret taking it. I wound up having a bad reaction and it made the 2nd half of our trip kind of a bummer.

We didn't get shots either - used TONS of mosquito repellant - uck