It’s also definitely a good idea to educate yourself about any health risks that might apply to your destination. Part of this will be to find out whether or not you need to have any travel vaccinations. When it comes to Cuba, you’re going to enjoy yourself a lot more if you know what to expect. So it’s time to have a look at some medical issues that relate to the island paradise. Do you need vaccinations for Cuba? Let’s find out…
Travel Insurance: Don’t Leave Home Without It
Strictly speaking, health insurance is mandatory for all visitors to Cuba. Don’t risk it by leaving home without it. There are also spot checks on arriving passengers. Don’t skimp on your health, it’s really not worth the stress. Having to worry if you will have your insurance details checked at immigration is just gonna spoil your holiday.
If you are found to be without insurance, you will be required to purchase a policy before you will be admitted into Cuba. This means you need to buy it at the airport, at perhaps the most expensive rate possible. You will be able to find superior insurance for a greatly reduced price if you shop around prior to your departure. If you happen to have a medical emergency and you’re without insurance? It’s going to cost a small fortune!
Without insurance, you will be required to pay for medical the treatment usually in cash and upfront. Some extreme cases might require a medical evacuation to a nearby country such as the USA. ,You will be charged for this a minimum of approximately USD $60,000. As well as being charged for medical treatment in the country you’re evacuated to.
Here are a few companies you could try:
https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
https://www.travelexinsurance.com
https://heymondo.com/travel-insurance-international
Do You Need Vaccinations for Cuba? What You Need to Know
The person you need to speak to when it comes to wondering do you need vaccinations for Cuba is your family doctor. Speak to them as soon as possible, ideally as soon as you’ve made the final decision that you’re off to Cuba. The more time you have, the easier it is to administer any vaccinations that might be required.
Your doctor will talk you through any vaccinations that might be needed, but they will need enough time to do this. It’s not as though you can visit your doctor the day before departure and expect to be fully vaccinated for your trip. It doesn’t work like this. Most medical experts would recommend aiming to see your doctor at least 8 weeks before you board the plane to Cuba.
But do you need vaccinations for Cuba? Yes, and no. Everyone is different, and it really depends on your circumstances and existing health. So don’t rely on the fact your best friend didn’t need any vaccinations to assume you don’t either! There is a small risk of contracting typhoid and/or hepatitis A through unsanitary food and water, and as such, these shots are quite standard when you ask do you need vaccinations for Cuba. Depending on your health, your doctor might suggest that these precautions are overkill. It’s really between you and your doctor.
If you will be exploring the countryside or areas away from the main tourist destinations, your doctor might also suggest a rabies vaccination. The disease is contracted from a bite, scratch, or even lick from an infected animal (dogs and cats are the main carriers, in addition to bats), and very difficult to treat without prior vaccination.
STD’S and Other Things
If you think it’s likely that you’ll find a new sexual partner in Cuba, your doctor will probably want to give you a hepatitis B vaccination too. Needless to say, the best way to avoid a sexually transmitted disease like hepatitis B (or HIV) is to practice safe sex.
If your immune system is weakened in any way, your doctor might want to give you booster vaccinations for a variety of standard ailments, such as tetanus, polio, and even a general flu shot. It varies from person to person, and will also depend on how recently you have received previous vaccinations for these diseases.
Drinking the Water
As mentioned earlier, there’s a small risk of typhoid and hepatitis A via contaminated water. This risk is low, but it’s there. In reality, the worst thing that the local water is likely to give you is an upset stomach and a nasty case of diarrhea. Diarrhea is dehydrating and can put a real damper on a stay in Cuba. But it’s very easily avoided by only drinking bottled water or thoroughly boiled tap water. Or you can bring a water bottle with a quality filter and at the same time reduce your plastic waste!
You should also be mindful of how any raw fruits and vegetables have been prepared (as in, what was your salad washed in). If it was washed using unclean water, all you own precautions will be pointless. The general rule is therefore only eat uncooked fruits and vegetables will a skin that can be peeled, such as oranges, bananas or mangos. Peel the skin from apples, and avoid other fruits such as grapes or tomatoes however tempting they look.
It can be wise to bring some anti-diarrhea medication, as well as any painkillers or basic medical supplies such as antihistamines, and even band aids. These items can be hard to track down in Cuba and can be worth their weight in gold when you really need them! Other medical kit items to bring along are insect repellent, which should be applied if you plan to take any walks in the countryside, and sun screen, which should be applied daily as standard. Mosquitos in Cuba have been known to spread the chikungunya virus and dengue fever. This is more of a problem in the wet months (generally from April until November), while the sun is likely to be stronger than you are used to throughout the year.
A couple of words of conclusion: don’t panic, and don’t let this article put you off a trip to Cuba! Most of the things that have been mentioned here are a worst case scenario type of thing. There’s very little that can cause major problems in Cuba, and if you’re aware of any potential risks, then you’re likely to be just fine – so long as you’ve got adequate travel insurance!