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Vaccinations for Peru

Vaccinations for Peru

There are strongly recommended vaccinations for Peru including cover against a range of diseases including Yellow Fever as the disease does occur within the country even though the risk in southern Peru along the Inca Trail is negligible at this time.

Vaccinations for Peru

08:57 Thu 28th Mar, 2024

All Travellers

Tetanus

Tetanus is contracted through contaminated cuts, bites and breaks in the skin. The vaccination provides cover for approximately 10 years in the majority of patients. It is frequently combined with cover against other diseases such as Poliomyelitis, Diphtheria and/or Pertussis.

Find out more about Tetanus

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a common disease in many of the hotter regions of the world and usually contracted through contaminated food and water. Cover against Hepatitis A can be given alone or combined with protection against Hepatitis B. Once completed, the Hepatitis A vaccination (given on two occasions 6 to 12 months apart) provides cover for approximately 25 years in the majority of patients.

Find out more about Hepatitis A

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial disease contracted through contaminated food and water. Once completed, the Typhoid vaccination given on one occasion provides cover for between 2 to 3 years in the majority of patients

Find out more about Typhoid

Recommended

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. This live vaccine is given on one occasion at least 10 days before travel (if at all possible) and provides life long cover in the majority of patients.

Find out more about Yellow Fever

Optional

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral disease which is usually transmitted in a very similar fashion to HIV/AIDS through contact with infected body fluids (eg blood exposure and sexually). This vaccine can be combined with cover against Hepatitis A. The standard schedule for Hepatitis B is to administer the vaccine on days 0, 28 and 180. A more rapid schedule can be used in cases where cover is needed more urgently and this is administered on days 0, 7, 21 to 28 and also 365. Following either course (and not before completion) a blood test can be taken to confirm sufficient antibody protection. Where the correct level of antibodies are showing (>10iu) the vaccination is recognised to provide cover for life.

Find out more about Hepatitis B

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease which is usually transmitted through the bite, the lick or the scratch of any infected warm blooded animal. As per the current WHO guidance, the vaccine is usually administered on days 0 and between 7 and 28. Once a course is completed, the vaccination provides life long ‘immune memory’ in the majority of patients BUT after any possible exposure the individual always needs further vaccination to boost antibody production

Find out more about Rabies

Cholera

Cholera / E coli are both food / water borne diseases. This oral vaccine is given on two occasions between 1 to 6 weeks apart before travel. The second dose (frequently given one week after the initial one) should be administered 7 days before potential exposure. Once completed the cover against Cholera is expected to be for about 2 years. The cover against E coli is shorter and thought to be effective for between 3 to 4 months. In travellers who have completed an initial primary course within the past 2 years a single further dose is sufficient to maintain this cover.

Find out more about Cholera

For the short-term tourist cover against food and water borne diseases (Hepatitis A and Typhoid) and childhood diseases (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Poliomyelitis).

Most travellers should have their initial consultation for vaccinations for Peru at least 4 – 6 weeks in advance of departure. However, those planning a longer trip or more extensive trekking will need to consider cover against other serious conditions like Hepatitis B and Rabies and may wish to attend earlier.

The W.H.O. report Malaria transmission in Peru in certain areas and you may be prescribed Malaria Prophylaxis depending on your itinerary.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflys present in Peru. The skin ulcers associated with this condition can take months to heal. Take care to avoid all insect bites – especially while along the Inca Trail. One of the biggest problems facing travellers to this region is the risk of insect bites. Along the Inca Trail you will often find that many travellers have been bitten significantly by both mosquitoes and sandflys. There are a number of diseases transmitted by these insects in this region and so it is essential to protect yourself. Wearing long sleeved pale coloured clothing and applying good insect repellent (with DEET 30-50% at least) will help. This will be particularly important for the visit to Machu Picchu.

Please remember every trip will require a specialised consultation and this information only contains general guidelines.

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