The Minister of Health in Costa Rica, Mary Munive, announced on Wednesday that the country will now allow entry to individuals who have been vaccinated against yellow fever abroad, even if they have not met the standard requirement of a 10-day period following vaccination.

This exception applies exclusively to travelers arriving from countries classified as at risk for yellow fever.

This policy shift is a direct response to the ongoing shortage of the yellow fever vaccine within the country, which has been exacerbated by heightened international demand, particularly from South American nations experiencing active disease transmission.

According to the Ministry of Health, this measure will remain in effect until global vaccine availability improves, enabling the country to restore access to the necessary supply to comply with existing regulations.

The mandate requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever for entry into Costa Rica has been in place since March 11. This mandate affects travelers headed to 46 countries, including all South American nations.

The original requirement dictated that the yellow fever vaccination must be administered at least 10 days prior to arrival in Costa Rica.

However, the current supply shortage renders this condition unfeasible for many travelers.

Since 2018, vaccination against yellow fever has been a necessity for entering all nations in Africa, as well as Brazil and specific forested or Amazonian regions of Colombia and Peru.

Recent outbreaks in additional regions have necessitated an expansion of vaccine requirements.

In response to the vaccine shortage in the private sector witnessed in December and January, the Ministry of Health launched initiatives to procure vaccines for free distribution through special vaccination drives termed "vacunatones." During three such campaigns, a total of 9,854 individuals were vaccinated.

Prices for the yellow fever vaccine in private pharmacies currently range from ¢74,000 to ¢88,000.