La preuve de vaccination anti Covid-19 et les voyages en Mexique

Mexico does not require proof of vaccination against Covid-19 from its visitors. Despite this, national governments are advising travelers to this part of the world to get vaccinated against the new coronavirus or skip the visit if it is not of essential origin.

An anti-Covid vaccine is not mandatory, the new Cancun Airport tourist tax is. Don’t forget to complete the online application to obtain the QR Code to present to authorities at Quintana Roo ports of entry.

What is the current situation with the pandemic in Mexico?

According to Statista 2021 , of all the 31 Mexican states, those with the most cases of Covid-19 are:

At the bottom of the statistics are:

To minimize the risk of catching the virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises unvaccinated travelers to the country to follow the steps below:

Before traveling:

Get tested with a viral test 1 and 3 days before travel.

Although you will not need to present proof of vaccination, do not forget to pay the new Visitax tourist tax , obligatory for everyone heading to the state of Quintana Roo.

During your stay in Mexico:

• Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is mandatory on planes, buses, trains and other means of public transport.
• Travelers are not required to wear a mask in exterior areas of a means of transportation (such as on a ferry or on the upper deck of a bus). The CDC recommends that travelers who are not fully vaccinated always wear a mask and maintain physical distance from others when traveling.
• Avoid crowds and stay at least 2 arm’s lengths away from anyone who is not traveling with you. It is important to do this everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Wash your hands often or use disinfectant (with at least 60% alcohol).

In the meantime, the CDC’s recommendations for travelers vaccinated with two doses are:

Before traveling:

Be sure to understand and follow all airline and destination requirements related to travel, testing, masking, or quarantine, which may differ from the requirements in your home country. If you do not comply with the requirements of your destination, you may be refused entry.

During your stay in Mexico:

• Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is mandatory on public transport such as planes, buses, trains, etc.
• Travelers are not required to wear a mask in exterior areas of a means of transportation (such as a ferry or the upper deck of a bus).
• Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Mexico, including mask wearing and social distancing.

Recommended vaccines for Mexico

To enter Mexico no vaccinations are required and you do not need to show any proof of vaccination.

That said, it is still recommended that short-term travelers receive vaccination coverage against tetanus (infant booster), typhoid (food and waterborne) and hepatitis A (food and waterborne).

For those undertaking a trekking vacation (or those who will be living in the area for a few months), vaccinations for Mexico may include coverage for rabies (animal bites), meningococcal meningitis (airborne ) and hepatitis B (accidents).

Malaria – for many tourists to Mexico, the risk of contracting malaria is negligible. The disease occurs in some parts of the country and those planning to travel to rural areas may be advised to consider malaria prophylaxis.

The most affected areas are Oaxaca, Hiapas, Sinaloa, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Tabasco, Michoacán, Chihuahua and Hidalgo .

The risk extends throughout the year and visitors to these areas should always consider adequate malaria prophylaxis,

Walking on hot sands in many countries without shoe covers can expose the traveler to infection by the Larva Migrans parasite and Mexico is no exception.

This tiny worm penetrates through the skin and leads to significant irritation in those who are infected. As it moves, the rash then becomes extremely itchy. Once diagnosed, treatment is very simple.

Always wear shoe covers and avoid sitting on sand without protection.

Please note that every traveler will need a medical consultation. The doctor at that time will also discuss other important health issues related to Mexico to ensure that you will be healthy and safe.

Tetanus – tetanus is contracted through contaminated cuts, bites and tears in the skin. Vaccination provides coverage for approximately 10 years in the majority of patients. It is frequently combined with coverage against other diseases such as polio, diphtheria and/or whooping cough.

Hepatitis A – This is a common disease in many warmer parts of the world and usually contracted through contaminated food and water. Coverage against hepatitis A can be administered alone or combined with protection against typhoid or hepatitis B. Once completed, vaccination against hepatitis A (administered in two doses 6 to 12 months apart) provides coverage of approximately 25 years for the majority of patients.

Hepatitis B – this is a viral disease that is generally transmitted in a very similar way to HIV/AIDS through contact with infected bodily fluids (e.g. exposure to blood and through sexual contact). This vaccine can be combined with hepatitis A coverage. The standard schedule for hepatitis B is to administer the vaccine on days 0, 28, and 180.

A faster schedule can be used in cases where coverage is needed more urgently and this is administered on days 0, 7, 21 to 28 and also 365.

After either course (and not until completion), a blood test may be performed to confirm antibody protection. When the correct level of antibodies appears (>100iu), vaccination is known to provide lifelong coverage.

Typhoid – is a bacterial disease contracted through contaminated food and water. This vaccine can be combined with coverage against hepatitis A. Once completed, vaccination against typhoid administered in one go provides coverage for 2 to 3 years in most patients.

Rabies – this is a viral disease that is usually transmitted through the bite, lick or scratch of any infected warm-blooded animal. The vaccine is usually given on days 0, 7 and between 21 and 28.

A fourth final vaccine is administered approximately 1 year later. Once a course is completed, vaccination provides lifelong « immune memory » in the majority of patients but after any possible exposure, the individual still requires additional vaccination to stimulate antibody production.

Please keep in mind that the advice below may not apply to minors.

Have a good trip!