Panama Backtracks On Yellow Fever Shot Requirement
Yellow Fever Vaccine Now A Recommendation In Panama – Not A Requirement
A few months ago Panama’s Ministry of Health decided that travelers coming in to Panama from other Latin American countries would need to be vaccinated against yellow fever. This new regulation prompted huge line ups at the three sites in Panama where the vaccine could be administered.
The vaccine requirement was not supposed to come in to effect until November 1, 2008, but some airlines began enforcing the new law immediately. Some travelers from Colombia reported being denied boarding on planes destined for Panama as early as last week.
This vaccination requirement spread worry through Panama’s expat community, as many foreigners who live in Panama frequently visit neighboring Central and South American countries. The Ministry of Health in Panama was also not prepared for the long lines that showed up in the three vaccination clinics in the country. Some people who arrived at these clinics to get their $5 yellow fever shot would wait in line for 5 hours only to be turned away at the end of the day because the clinic was closing for the day.
Well, as of today, the government of Panama has now decided the vaccine is just a recommendation as opposed to a requirement. Bottom line is, you do not need a yellow fever vaccine to enter Panama if you’ve been in other Central or South American countries, but they would prefer if you did.
This flip-flop by the government reminds me of when the tourist visa for Panama was reduced from 90 days to 30. The government was unprepared for the reduction of the visa and caused confusion and headaches among travelers to Panama. That visa reduction lasted just a couple of months before the 90 day limit was reinstated.
Do you think the government of Panama sometimes acts to quickly without putting enough thought in to new regulations?
| Written by Rebecca Tyre |  |
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Filed under: News on October 16th, 2008
I love this about Panama!
It just cracks me up that if a new law is not popular just give it a bit of time and it will probably get deleted or modified.
It’s kind of like a market test – Let’s throw this one out there and see what happens?
I just find it amusing most of the time unless it is form IPAT and totally works against everything that is good for investors and locals. Thanks Rebecca, good writing and you help brighten my day.
I often reference your good info on my blog.
I totally agree with Lyn, in fact I was about to post more or less the same comment. I can just see the cabinet or whatever group of people make these laws, sitting around a desk saying “OK maybe try this one for a few days? See what people think?”
It also sends a funny message to locals: “if you don’t like a new law, boycott it for a few days and POOF, it’s gone!”
I hope it remains a recommendation in the near future. Too late for me, I had to pay $84 to get a Yellow Fever vaccination in Europe!!! only $5 in Panama, no wonder why it is full of immigrants
thanks for this post. we are headed to panama shortly and i was uncomfortable about the shots, glad to hear i can stop worrying now.