Vaccinations, disease and malaria advice for your chosen destination:

Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (South America)

Immunisations Malaria Malaria Map News

Advice for All Destinations

The risks to health whilst travelling will vary between individuals and many issues need to be taken into account, e.g. activities abroad, length of stay and general health of the traveller. It is recommended that you consult with your General Practitioner or Practice Nurse who will assess your particular health risks before recommending vaccines and /or antimalarial tablets. This is also a good opportunity to discuss important travel health issues including safe food and water, accidents, sun exposure and insect bites. Many of the problems experienced by travellers cannot be prevented by vaccinations and other preventive measures need to be taken.

Measles occurs worldwide and is common in developing countries. The pre-travel consultation is a good opportunity to check that you are immune, either by previous immunisation or natural measles infection.

Ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including repatriation. UK travellers visiting other European Union countries should also carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as it entitles travellers to reduced cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries. Online applications normally arrive within seven days. Applications may also be made by telephone on 0845 606 2030 or by post using the form which can be downloaded from the website.

For Travel Safety Advice you should visit the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

A worldwide list of clinics, run by members of the International Society of Travel Medicine is availble on the ISTM website.

Immunisations

  • Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including vaccines given to special groups because of risk exposure or complications (e.g. hepatitis B for health care workers, tuberculosis for children at risk and healthcare workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly).
  • Courses or boosters usually advised: tetanus; hepatitis A; typhoid.
  • Vaccine sometimes advised: rabies; yellow fever (east of Andes such as the departments of Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and sub tropical part of La Paz Department).
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate required from travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Notes on the diseases mentioned above

  • Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches. This is a serious infection of the nervous system. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine is recommended for life in the UK. Tetanus vaccine is usually recommeded for travellers who will be in a country or situation where the correct treatment of a tetanus prone injury may not be readily available. 
  • Typhoid and hepatitis A are spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid causes septicaemia and hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice. In risk areas you should be immunised if good hygiene is impossible.  
  • Yellow fever is spread by mosquito bites. It is a serious often fatal illness. Vaccination is recommended for those who travel into risk areas. View yellow fever risk areas.
  • Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Malaria precautions

  • Malaria Map
  • Malaria risk is due predominantly to benign (P.vivax) throughout the year in all areas below 2500m. Malignant (P. falciparum) malaria exists in the departments of Santa Cruz, northern Beni and Pando, especially in the localities of Guayaramerin and Riberalta.
  • Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
  • Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarials.
  • Chloroquine or proguanil are usually recommended for risk areas in the west of the country. Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is usually recommended for the Amazon basin (east of the Andes).
  • If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
  • If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.

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