Travel Health Advisory
Released: May 19, 2006
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been made aware of new measles and rubella vaccination departure requirements, recently implemented by the Venezuelan Ministry of Health for Venezuelan nationals and foreign residents living in Venezuela, leaving Venezuela and travelling outside of the Americas.
The following requirements are detailed in the Venezuelan government's official decree, which came into force on April 27, 2006:
All Venezuelan nationals and foreign residents living in Venezuela, over the age of six months, who leave Venezuela and travel outside the Americas through international airports or ports, must be in possession of a certificate of vaccination documenting that they have been vaccinated against measles and rubella. Persons without a certificate will be vaccinated on-site.
Vaccination posts shall be set up at all international airports and ports in Venezuela to ensure that all travelers who require it are vaccinated.
Domestic and international airlines and shipping lines are responsible for ensuring that their passengers over six months of age, who intend to travel outside the Americas, present a certificate of vaccination prior to check-in.
Anyone failing to show such certification shall be vaccinated.
For the official decree (in Spanish), see: Gaceta Oficial de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Source: Gaceta Oficial de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Recommendations
While the Venezuelan Ministry of Health's requirements detailed above apply specifically to Venezuelan nationals and foreign residents travelling to destinations outside the Americas, it has been brought to PHAC's attention that the decree's interpretation may be causing confusion at Venezuelan points of departure.
Until the situation is clarified and t o avoid potential difficulties or delays, PHAC recommends that Canadian travellers carry with them a copy of their immunization records documenting vaccination against measles and rubella.
PHAC reminds travellers that, for all travel regardless of destination, they should ensure their routine (childhood) immunizations - including diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella - are up to date.
Routine Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination Recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization:
Vaccination is recommended for all children at 12 months of age with a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) followed by a booster dose at either 18 months of age or at 4 to 6 years of age.
For more information on:
Diseases
Disease Information Backgrounder - Measles
Disease Information Backgrounder - Rubella
Immunization
Immunizations recommended for travel outside of Canada
National Advisory Committee on Immunization's Canadian Immunization Guide
Outbreaks
International Reports of Vaccine Preventable Childhood Infectious Diseases
Released: May 19, 2006
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