December 26, 2008
Which shots should a 17 year old get in order to travel to Mexico?
Maria T asked:
I need to know which shots to get for my son.
I need to make sure that he does not get malaria or any other disease, because he does not have his spleen.
I need to know which shots to get for my son.
I need to make sure that he does not get malaria or any other disease, because he does not have his spleen.
Serious answers only.
Filed under Infectious Diseases by Administrator
Comments on Which shots should a 17 year old get in order to travel to Mexico?
Contact the State Department. They have a current list of what epidemics are flourishing in each country.
There is no vaccine for malaria. Mosquito netting is the best defense.
Diseases common in Mexico are hepatitis (he can get a vaccine for A & B); amoebic dysentery (no vaccine, but antibiotics can knock it out); various flukes (from swimming in contaminated fresh water); yellow fever; dengue fever; TB; kissing bug disease; encephalitis, and normal diseases like strep and pneumonia.
Yes, there is a vaccine for malaria but to get more info about the vaccines needed for traveling overseas check with the CDC by going to as well as talking to his dr.
A Hepatitis A vaccine would definitely be in order for obvious reasons. Make sure all other immunizations are up to date as well. Ask his doc re preventative antibiotics to take while on his trip there.