What Are the Official Vaccination Requirements for Aruba?
Yellow Fever vaccine is not required for travelers from North America or Europe. However, travelers aged 9 months and older arriving from endemic countries in South America (Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela) or Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia) must present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate. This requirement also applies if you spent more than 12 hours in transit at an airport in a risk country.
Is the Yellow Fever Vaccine Mandatory?
No Yellow Fever vaccine is required for travelers from non-endemic countries. The requirement only applies to arrivals from countries with active Yellow Fever transmission or those who spent 12+ hours in transit through endemic areas.
What Are the Entry Rules for Travelers from Endemic Areas?
Travelers aged 9 months and older from endemic areas must show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. Endemic regions include:
- 🇨🇴 Colombia,
- 🇧🇷 Brazil,
- 🇻🇪 Venezuela,
- 🇺🇬 Uganda,
- 🇰🇪 Kenya,
- 🇪🇹 Ethiopia.
Transit passengers who spent 12+ hours in airports of risk countries must also provide vaccination certificates.
What Recommended Vaccines Protect Against Local Health Risks?
CDC recommends Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines for Aruba travelers. Hepatitis A requires 2 doses (initial dose plus booster at 6-12 months) for long-term immunity. Typhoid protection lasts 5 years with oral vaccine (4 capsules) or 2 years with injectable vaccine (single shot).
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Get Hepatitis A vaccine before visiting Aruba. The first dose provides short-term protection, while a booster at 6-12 months ensures long-term immunity against contaminated food and water.
Typhoid Vaccine
Typhoid vaccine is essential for travelers eating street food or visiting rural areas. Choose between oral vaccine (4 capsules, 5-year protection) or injectable vaccine (single shot, 2-year protection).
| Vaccine Type | Administration | Duration of Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Vaccine | 4 capsules taken every other day | 5 years |
| Injectable Vaccine | Single shot | 2 years |
Which Routine Immunizations Should Be Updated?
Update MMR (2 lifetime doses), Tdap (every 10 years), annual Flu shot, and COVID-19 vaccines before traveling. These protect against diseases still present globally and reduce risk of severe illness during your trip.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
Ensure you received 2 MMR doses during your lifetime. Get a blood test to confirm immunity or receive a booster if vaccination status is uncertain.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
Get Tdap booster every 10 years. Tetanus risk exists from beach cuts or hiking injuries, making current vaccination essential for travel.
Influenza and Varicella
Get annual Flu shot before travel, especially during flu season. If you never had chickenpox or the vaccine, get Varicella vaccine to prevent infection in crowded tourist areas.
COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations
Complete COVID-19 primary series and relevant boosters before traveling to Aruba. Current vaccination reduces risk of severe illness or hospitalization abroad.
Who Should Consider Additional Travel Vaccinations?
Get Hepatitis B vaccine (3-dose series) if planning new sexual partners, tattoos, piercings, or medical procedures. Rabies vaccine is recommended for outdoor adventure activities, animal work, or long-term stays exceeding 30 days.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine requires 3 doses over 6 months. Get vaccinated if you might have new sexual partners, get tattoos or piercings, or undergo medical procedures in Aruba.
Rabies Vaccine
Get Rabies vaccine if participating in caving (bat exposure), working with animals, or staying long-term. The 3-dose series must be completed before potential exposure to this fatal virus.
How to Prevent Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Without Vaccines
Use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants during sunrise and sunset. Eliminate standing water around accommodations to prevent Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya transmission by Aedes mosquitoes.
Dengue Fever Prevention Strategies
Prevent Dengue by avoiding daytime mosquito bites. Use repellents and wear protective clothing since no vaccine exists for travelers. Aedes mosquitoes transmit this disease causing high fever, severe headache, and joint pain.
Zika Virus Precautions
Pregnant women should postpone travel to Zika-affected areas due to severe birth defect risks. All travelers must practice strict bite prevention to avoid infection and potential sexual transmission after returning home.
Chikungunya Virus Risks
Prevent Chikungunya by eliminating standing water and using mosquito barriers. This virus causes fever and severe joint pain that can become chronic, with no vaccine available.
Use of Insect Repellents and Protective Clothing
Apply EPA-registered repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants during sunrise and sunset for physical protection against mosquito bites.
When Should You Visit a Travel Health Clinic?
Schedule appointment 4-6 weeks before departure. This timeframe allows vaccines to become effective and completion of multi-dose series like Hepatitis A (2 doses over 6-12 months) or Hepatitis B (3 doses over 6 months).
What Is the Ideal Vaccination Schedule?
Book travel health appointment 4-6 weeks before your trip. This window ensures vaccines take effect and allows completion of multi-dose series for Hepatitis A or B.
What to Expect During a Pre-Travel Medical Consultation
Healthcare provider will review your itinerary, duration of stay, and planned activities. They assess medical history, administer necessary vaccines, and discuss prescriptions for traveler’s diarrhea or specific health needs.
What Are the Best Hygiene Practices During Travel in Aruba?
Aruba’s desalinated tap water is safe to drink. Follow “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it” for food. Wash hands with soap before eating or use 60%+ alcohol-based sanitizer. Pack oral rehydration salts and loperamide for traveler’s diarrhea.
Food and Water Safety Precautions
Drink Aruba’s desalinated tap water safely. Follow “Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it” rule for food. Avoid street food sitting out and ensure meat and seafood are thoroughly cooked.
Traveler’s Diarrhea Prevention
Wash hands with soap before eating. Use 60%+ alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap unavailable. Pack oral rehydration salts and loperamide in your travel health kit.
Should You Purchase Travel Health Insurance?
Buy comprehensive travel insurance covering medical treatment for infectious diseases. Ensure policy includes medical evacuation coverage for air ambulance transport to higher-standard facilities or home country. Verify if policy pays hospitals directly or requires out-of-pocket payment with reimbursement.
Coverage for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Ensure travel insurance covers medical treatment for infectious diseases despite vaccination. Check if policy pays hospitals directly or requires out-of-pocket payment with later reimbursement.
Medical Evacuation and Emergency Services
Get medical evacuation coverage for severe illness or injury requiring air ambulance transport. This covers extremely high costs of transport to higher-standard facilities or home country.
