Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Dominican Republic

• Typhoid – Typhoid, a bacterial infection, is primarily transmitted through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with infected people. Vaccination is a key preventive measure, recommended for travelers to endemic regions and those at risk due to occupation.
• Hepatitis A – Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It’s typically spread through contaminated food or water. The hepatitis A vaccine is a safe and effective immunization that protects against the virus, usually given in two shots for long-term prevention.
• Chikungunya – Chikungunya, carried by Aedes mosquitoes, can be prevented by using mosquito repellents and eliminating standing water. Vaccination is recommended fro those traveling to regions effected by the disease.
• Rabies – Rabies is a lethal disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, and vaccination is the key to prevention. Pre-exposure vaccination is advised for individuals at risk, and immediate post-exposure vaccination is crucial if one encounters a potentially rabid animal.
• Hepatitis B – Hepatitis B, a liver infection, is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. Prevention includes practicing safe behaviors, but the cornerstone of protection is hepatitis B vaccination. This vaccine activates the immune system, generating antibodies that offer potent and enduring defense against the virus.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Measles, mumps, and rubella are viral infections that can spread through close contact and respiratory droplets. Vaccination is the most effective way to halt their transmission. The MMR vaccine, given in two doses, strengthens immunity, reducing the chances of contracting and spreading these diseases.

Malaria in the Dominican Republic is primary found near the border with Haiti and in the following regions: La Altagracia, San Cristobal, San Juan and Santo Domingo. Transmission is rare in other provinces. Atovaquone, chloroquine, doxycycline, mefloquine and tafenoquine are suggested as antimalarials if traveling to the region. Consult with a travel health specialist on which antimalarial will best fit your needs.

Mosquitoes and sand flies are common across the Dominican Republic. A bite can carry more than itchiness. Insect-borne illness is a real risk for travelers, especially anyone spending evenings outdoors or venturing into rural areas.

Wear an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535. Reapply it as directed. Permethrin-treated clothing adds another layer of protection. Long sleeves and pants cut down on exposed skin during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk, and a bed net helps if your room doesn’t have air conditioning or screened windows.

Passport Health’s travel specialists walk you through insect protection based on where in the Dominican Republic you’re headed.

Contaminated food and water are behind some of the most common illnesses travelers bring home from the Dominican Republic. These include travelers’ diarrhea, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. A few precautions go a long way toward avoiding a trip cut short by stomach illness.

Stick to bottled or properly treated water, and skip the ice in your drinks unless you know it was made from purified water. Tap water across much of the country isn’t reliably safe, even at resorts. After heavy rain, avoid wading through standing water or floodwater. Runoff can carry contamination from soil and drainage into places you wouldn’t expect, including low-lying resort grounds.

Order food that’s fully cooked and served hot, and be cautious with raw fruits and vegetables you haven’t peeled yourself. Street food stalls vary widely in food safety practices. Pay attention to how busy the stall is and how the food is stored before it’s cooked.

A Passport Health specialist can walk you through which vaccines offer protection before your trip.

Avoid altitude sickness by gradually ascending to high elevations, allowing your body to acclimatize. Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and consider medication like acetazolamide. If symptoms such as headaches or dizziness occur, descend promptly to lower altitudes and seek medical assistance if necessary.

• Dengue – Spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes, dengue is a viral illness throughout the Dominican Republic. Most cases cause fever, joint pain and rash, though a small percentage progress to severe illness. Apply repellent throughout the day.
• Hantavirus – Hantavirus spreads through contact with the droppings, urine or saliva of infected rodents, including breathing in dust stirred up in enclosed spaces. Hantavirus is connected to rodent exposure, most relevant for rural stays or excursions into caves or abandoned buildings. Avoid sweeping or disturbing areas with signs of rodent activity.
• Leishmaniasis – Sand flies, not mosquitoes, spread leishmaniasis. They’re small enough to slip through standard mosquito netting. Sand flies are most active from dusk through night in rural and forested areas. Use a fine-mesh net or one treated with permethrin if your room lacks air conditioning.
• Leptospirosis – This bacterial illness spreads through contact with soil or fresh water contaminated by infected animal urine, including swimming or wading through it. When floodwater picks up contamination from the ground. Skip wading through standing water after storms, and keep any cuts covered.
• Melioidosis – Melioidosis spreads through contact with contaminated soil or water, especially after heavy rainfall. The CDC lists it as a Dominican Republic risk tied to the same rainy-season conditions that raise leptospirosis risk. Avoid walking through mud or floodwater barefoot, and bandage open wounds before heading outdoors.
• New World Screwworm – This infection occurs when fly larvae infest an open wound or the mouth or nose. The CDC has added it to the Dominican Republic’s disease list as the fly has spread through the region in recent years. Keep any cuts or scrapes clean and covered, and limit close contact with livestock.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – TB spreads through the air when someone with an active, contagious infection coughs, speaks or sings nearby. The CDC lists it as a Dominican Republic risk, with exposure most likely during prolonged close contact in crowded indoor settings like clinics or public transit. Avoid extended close contact with anyone who has a persistent cough.
• Zika – Mosquitoes spread Zika, and an infected pregnant traveler can pass it to their unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about timing your trip, and follow standard mosquito bite precautions throughout your stay.