www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Can anyone tell me for sure if I really need a yellow fever immune. to come back into Costa Rica from Colombia.
How recent of a immun. is required?
Anyone make that trip recently and experience the requirement for re-entry to Costa Rica.
Mine is way out of date, and being over 60 my County health dept. wants my Docs OK for the shot, then fork out $170 for it. My last one in 1979 cost $9. Talk about inflation or the bend over syndrome!

Please inform me on this one if anybody has solid info.
Thanks

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"What it is, is what it will be!" An expression of Jamaican pidgin about the enevibility of life.

Not sure how recent your shot needs to be but your airline in Colombia will ask to see your immunization card for yellow fever when checking in for a flight to Costa Rica.

Yes, you need to have a yellow fever certification when entering Costa Rica from Colombia. The shot must be administered 10 days or more before entering the country. The shot is good for 10 years.

Thanks for the rapid reply. Looks like I will need to shell out for an office visit and a $170 shot. Ouch!
I had read this various places, but was not certain. Good to hear from someone with first hand knowledge of how it is handled.
Thanks again

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"What it is, is what it will be!" An expression of Jamaican pidgin about the enevibility of life.

Mine cost about $25 at Clinica Biblica. If you're still in the U.S. call your county health office; they often have very inexpensive inoculations for travel.

/dddick

(and yes, they've asked for my card every time when leaving Colombia for Costa Rica. Ditto for mi amante, a tica)

Don't feel too bad. I had to pay $197 at a travel medicine clinic in 2007. My county health department did not have the vaccine available.

I just got a yellow fever shot at Hospital Biblica for $50. There was much discusion about getting the shot after age 60 and if needed. Finally a doctor asked if I was allegic to eggs. I am 63 he said no problem for the shot. But There can be some reaction after age 60 to certain people. Then I went to the health department in San Jose with my receip and proof of shot. They gave me a card to use for entry into Costa Rica. You do have to have it 10 days prior to your trip. I now keep the card attached to my passport.

if going to be in Colombia for more then 10 days you might try there for a shot and save some funds for other purposes

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

That's a very good point. Yellow Fever vaccines are free to members of an EPS, and COP$ 40,000 for non-members. (Much, much cheaper than the US... ). In Medellin, you can get the shot at Metrosalud near Alpujarra or at any public hospital or clinic.

i thought yellow fever was when you had a thing for asian chics...didn't know they had a shot for that!

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When I was born, I was given a choice - a big pecker or a good memory.... I don't remember what I chose.

I just went to Lima last week. I have never had a yellow (or any other color) shot for travel. The chica at the Copa counter surprises me by asking for the paper showing I had my shot. No one asked for proof on my way back.Then she says that it is not necessary after age 60. So for once,it was good to be old.

Well I had to pay the price and get my shots at the local county travel immunization 2 days ago. Yellow fever and hep A(my 2nd dose) with an office visit was $220. Had to get my primary pyhsician to sign off on me because I am over 60. The immunization must be 10 days prior to re-entry into Costa Rica from Colombia. There is a space in the international health cert. for a Dr. to relieve a traveler from the immunization if they are over 60. Then you must count on Costa Rican immigration to honor this!

I consulted a private travel clinic in a near by city and they charged about the same. Both they and the county wanted me to have many more immunizations and to take an anti-malaria shot or pills. I did this years ago when camping in Africa, but now I always stay in air conditioning and use some sort of insect repellent in adverse conditions which I find to be rare.

Thanks for all the response and had time allowed I probably would go for an immunization in Colombia or Costa Rica, though I usually prefer making as many preparations as possible prior to leaving on my vacation, then use the entire time for enjoyable pursuits.

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"What it is, is what it will be!" An expression of Jamaican pidgin about the enevibility of life.

Took mi amante and her mother to Colombia early last year. Her mother is 70-something so she got the waiver. Health card looks the same. We all three came back, my tica & me with our cards showing the shot & her mother with her card saying she was over 60 & didn't need it. All three sailed through, no issues.

/dddick

" card showing she was over 60" The only evidence I had was my passport showing my date of birth.