Travel Vaccines and Advice for Haiti
Although damanged by natural disasters, Haiti remains a strong and unique country. Haiti remains a top producer of various produce and plants. It is a common destination for foreign aid workers.
Do I Need Vaccines for Haiti?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Haiti. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Haiti: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travelers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
Haiti has been the site of ongoing cholera outbreaks for many years. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Haiti |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | Haiti has been the site of ongoing cholera outbreaks for many years. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travelers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Haiti |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Zika is a high risk in Haiti. Zika in a pregnant can cause severe birth defects and pregnant women are strongly cautioned against traveling to Haiti. Zika can be passed through mosquitoes and through sexual intercourse.
Medical facilities in Haiti are rare and usually not of the highest quality. You should purchase medical evacuation insurance before traveling to Haiti.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Is There Cholera in Haiti?
Cholera is an ongoing epidemic in Haiti. Nearly 1 million residents and travelers have contracted the virus since the 2010 outbreak began and over 10,000 have died.
Practice extreme caution in regards to cholera while in Haiti and before your trip. Cholera vaccination for a trip to Haiti is highly recommended. Around seven percent of the population of Haiti has contracted cholera at one point. Travelers are at an increased risk.
Passport Health’s travel clinics carry VaxChora, the only cholera vaccine approved for use in the United States. Book your cholera vaccination appointment today by calling or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health Travel Vaccines for Haiti
“Because I had been to Passport Health last year before my mission trip to Haiti and because I filled out the online information prior to going to my appointment, I was out in a flash. It was great.”
“I accompanied my daughter to prepare for her mission trip to Haiti this summer. The entire process was efficient, extremely informative, and very helpful. We’ll recommend Passport Health to all our friends planning to travel overseas.”
“I am a pilot and we were given a weeks notice that we are going to Haiti for a week. I couldn’t get an appointment with my Dr. for a month; Passport Health saw me and my co-pilot in two days. In and out in less than a hour.”
“I did not have to wait long and the nurse was very friendly as soon as I walked in. She provided me with a book on Haiti and the all the recommended immunizations. She was very helpful and answered all the questions I had. This was my first time here and will definitely recommend it to anyone traveling!”
“I felt the time spent with me reviewing my needs for travel to Haiti was very helpful.”
“I am going to Haiti to volunteer in a trauma center, and I am now ready and have peace of mind. I can now focus on the task at hand — helping other. Thanks so much.”
“Gave a good impression of the precautions and medical needs for going to Haiti.”
“Desiree was extremely helpful, patient and informative. For the past 6 yrs I’v been going to passport health I never had not one problem. The advice I was given concerning my mission trips to Haiti I always obeyed and I never gotten sick. Thank you for being there.”
“Excellent service, very thorough information. I feel safe, protected and ready to travel to Haiti!”
“During our visit to Passport Health, we received exceptional care and attention to our necessary vaccinations needed for our mission trip to Haiti. The advice was well received and helpful and some extra tips on what we could expect proved beneficial.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Haiti?
A passport with at least six months is required to enter Haiti. If travelers are intending to stay more than 90 days, they must get a travel visa through the embassy.
Haiti Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Haiti? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Haiti and U.S. State Department
For more information contact a Passport Health Passport and Visa specialist by calling 1-844-366-8472 or by filling out our online form.
What is the Climate Like in Haiti?
Haiti has a tropical climate where it is hot and humid year-round.
There are dry and rainy seasons. The dry season in Haiti runs from November to January. The wet season runs from February to May. It rains up to 200 cm every year, but it mostly occurs in the southern region.
Temperatures range throughout the year from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Safe is Haiti?
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel warning for Haiti. Travelers are cautioned from traveling to Haiti due to health concerns of zika and cholera. There are limited medical facilities in the country, making travel here dangerous.
Although the potential for terrorist activity is low, the potential for political crime is high.
You should arrange airport and hotel transfers in advance.
Only use cameras with permission.
Voudo in Haiti
Voudo is one of the most widely practiced religions in Haiti. Originally brought to Haiti by slaves from Africa. Many slaves disguised their Voudo practices by giving spirits different Catholic names.
The basic belief of Voudo is that everything is spirit. There are different spirits in the visible and unseen world.
Voudo temples are often unassuming and tucked away. As a traveler you will need a local guide to locate and find a Voudo ceremony. Most places accept tourists, but it’s always good to create a good relationship with the priest first. As a tourist, you may be asked for a cash donation.
What Should I Take To Haiti?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Haiti:
- Loose-Fitting Clothes – Practical clothing to stay cool in Haiti’s heat.
- Close-Toed Shoes – Streets and sewers fill quickly during the rainy season and it’s not safe to walk barefoot in these conditions.
- Swimwear – Haitians are more conservative than Americans when it comes to the beach.
- Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent – To help repel mosquitos.
- Spare Batteries and Travel Chargers – Electricity is not always available in Haiti.
U.S. Embassy in Haiti
All Americans visiting Haiti should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
Once in Haiti, the information for the U.S. Embassy is:
U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince
Boulevard du 15 October,
Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Telephone: +(509) 2229-8000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(509) 2229-8000
Fax: +(509) 2229-8027
Visit the Embassy to Haiti website before departure to confirm correct contact details for the office.
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Haiti?
Is There Cholera in Haiti?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Haiti?
What is the Climate Like in Haiti?
How Safe is Haiti?
Voudo in Haiti
What Should I Take To Haiti?
U.S. Embassy in Haiti
