Costa Rica Extends Mandatory Yellow Fever Vaccination Deadline Amid Supply Issues
Health Ministry confirms extension to May 11, 2025, due to vaccine shortages.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Health has announced the postponement of the mandatory yellow fever vaccination deadline until May 11, 2025, due to ongoing supply shortages of the vaccine within the country.
This decision was communicated through a press release following the issuance of ministerial resolution DM-RC-1603-2025.
The Ministry highlighted its continuous communication with the Health Chamber regarding the vaccine shortage.
"The Ministry of Health has been in constant dialogue with the Health Chamber and today communicated the lack of yellow fever vaccine in the country," the statement said.
The requirement for yellow fever vaccination had initially been enforced on March 11, 2025, for travelers heading to 43 countries, including all South American nations.
The Ministry also stated that it would continuously assess the situation and provide updates on vaccine availability and related regulations.
In a related development, Health Minister Mari Munive recently authorized the entry of individuals vaccinated abroad against yellow fever, regardless of the 10-day post-vaccination requirement, specifically for travelers from high-risk countries.
The Ministry mandates immunization for Costa Ricans traveling to areas where yellow fever is endemic.
Since 2018, vaccination has been a requirement for entry into all African nations, Brazil, and certain forested regions or Amazonian areas in Colombia and Peru.
The expansion of the vaccination requirement is attributed to fresh outbreaks in various regions.
In another public health update, the Ministry of Health reported a significant decrease in dengue cases in the early weeks of 2025. Over the first nine epidemiological weeks of the year, a total of 1,519 dengue cases have been reported, marking a reduction to less than one-third of the 5,126 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. Last year witnessed one of the highest incidences of dengue with 31,259 cases, ranking as the fourth highest in history.
The year 2024 was marked by seven dengue-related fatalities.
According to a report published in February, 2007 remains the most severe year, with eight deaths recorded.
The central cantons of San José, Alajuela, Desamparados, Alajuelita, and Puntarenas reported the highest case numbers by the end of week nine.
The Central South region accounted for the largest accumulated notifications, with 724 cases, and the highest incidence rate was identified in the Pacific Central region at 47.1 cases per 100,000 people.
No hospitalizations related to dengue were recorded by March 10, 2025.
Costa Rica is not alone in this trend; the Pan American Health Organization reported a total of 212,364 suspected dengue cases across the region in the first three weeks of the year, reflecting a 54% decrease when compared to the same period in 2024. In Central America, the reduction is noted at 52%.
Dengue is a preventable disease through basic measures, including the elimination of water-collecting containers in gardens and outdoor spaces, proper disposal of discarded tires, and continuous cleaning of potential mosquito breeding sites.
Recommended preventive actions also include the use of mosquito repellent applied after sunscreen and wearing protective clothing in high-incidence areas.
Individuals with a history of dengue are advised to monitor for warning signs that may indicate complications.
This decision was communicated through a press release following the issuance of ministerial resolution DM-RC-1603-2025.
The Ministry highlighted its continuous communication with the Health Chamber regarding the vaccine shortage.
"The Ministry of Health has been in constant dialogue with the Health Chamber and today communicated the lack of yellow fever vaccine in the country," the statement said.
The requirement for yellow fever vaccination had initially been enforced on March 11, 2025, for travelers heading to 43 countries, including all South American nations.
The Ministry also stated that it would continuously assess the situation and provide updates on vaccine availability and related regulations.
In a related development, Health Minister Mari Munive recently authorized the entry of individuals vaccinated abroad against yellow fever, regardless of the 10-day post-vaccination requirement, specifically for travelers from high-risk countries.
The Ministry mandates immunization for Costa Ricans traveling to areas where yellow fever is endemic.
Since 2018, vaccination has been a requirement for entry into all African nations, Brazil, and certain forested regions or Amazonian areas in Colombia and Peru.
The expansion of the vaccination requirement is attributed to fresh outbreaks in various regions.
In another public health update, the Ministry of Health reported a significant decrease in dengue cases in the early weeks of 2025. Over the first nine epidemiological weeks of the year, a total of 1,519 dengue cases have been reported, marking a reduction to less than one-third of the 5,126 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. Last year witnessed one of the highest incidences of dengue with 31,259 cases, ranking as the fourth highest in history.
The year 2024 was marked by seven dengue-related fatalities.
According to a report published in February, 2007 remains the most severe year, with eight deaths recorded.
The central cantons of San José, Alajuela, Desamparados, Alajuelita, and Puntarenas reported the highest case numbers by the end of week nine.
The Central South region accounted for the largest accumulated notifications, with 724 cases, and the highest incidence rate was identified in the Pacific Central region at 47.1 cases per 100,000 people.
No hospitalizations related to dengue were recorded by March 10, 2025.
Costa Rica is not alone in this trend; the Pan American Health Organization reported a total of 212,364 suspected dengue cases across the region in the first three weeks of the year, reflecting a 54% decrease when compared to the same period in 2024. In Central America, the reduction is noted at 52%.
Dengue is a preventable disease through basic measures, including the elimination of water-collecting containers in gardens and outdoor spaces, proper disposal of discarded tires, and continuous cleaning of potential mosquito breeding sites.
Recommended preventive actions also include the use of mosquito repellent applied after sunscreen and wearing protective clothing in high-incidence areas.
Individuals with a history of dengue are advised to monitor for warning signs that may indicate complications.
