Travel Vaccines and Advice for Haiti
Although damanged by natural disasters, Haiti remains a strong and unique country. Haiti remains a top producer of various produce and plants. It is a common destination for foreign aid workers.
Do I Need Vaccines for Haiti?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Haiti. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Haiti: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Cholera –
Food & Water –
Haiti has been the site of ongoing cholera outbreaks for many years. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Haiti |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Cholera | Food & Water | Haiti has been the site of ongoing cholera outbreaks for many years. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Haiti |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
Zika is a high risk in Haiti. Zika in a pregnant can cause severe birth defects and pregnant women are strongly cautioned against travelling to Haiti. Zika can be passed through mosquitoes and through sexual intercourse.
Medical facilities in Haiti are rare and usually not of the highest quality. You should purchase medical evacuation insurance before travelling to Haiti.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Haiti
“I went to the Passport Health Clinic to find out what vaccinations my fiance and I need for our upcoming trip to Haiti. I left with so much information and all my questions were answered. It was highly beneficial in helping me make the right decisions on what I need to have a safe trip.”
“Very thorough and comprehensive review of requirements for Haiti. Answered all our questions with very knowledgeable answers.”
“I found the link to your company from travel.gc.ca and your website was easy to navigate. Love that! Got the information I needed and I completed the required form easily from my smart phone. Awesome! Called the number for help and was greeted promptly by a live agent who took care of my needs with expediency, efficiency and effectively. When I showed up for my appointment, the staff there was ALL very courteous, kind, concerned, and HELPFUL. The nurse who took care of me, Alice, was stirling. She was so prepared for our meeting, so organized, so helpful, so professional, and she is a very good listener and was able to addressed my questions and concerns very knowledgeably. I found an email with the DIN for the vaccines which, to me, was above and beyond the kind of service I expected. She thought to do everything. I can’t say enough how grateful I am for the help I got today. I would definitely use your services again when I travel. AND the handout with all kinds of useful information about Haiti. Thank you all.”
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Haiti?
A visa is not required for business or tourism stays under 90 days. A valid passport is required in order to enter Haiti. A $10 USD entry fee must be paid upon arrival.
Haiti Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Haiti? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | |
|
Sources: Embassy of Haiti and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Haiti?
Haiti has a tropical climate where it is hot and humid year-round.
There are dry and rainy seasons. The dry season in Haiti runs from November to January. The wet season runs from February to May. It rains up to 200 cm every year, but it mostly occurs in the southern region.
Temperatures range throughout the year from 16 to 35 degrees.
How Safe is Haiti?
The Canadian Government has issued a travel warning for Haiti. Travellers are cautioned from travelling to Haiti due to health concerns of Zika and cholera. There are limited medical facilities in the country, making travel here dangerous.
Although the potential for terrorist activity is low, the potential for political crime is high.
You should arrange airport and hotel transfers in advance.
Only use cameras with permission.
Voudo in Haiti
Voudo is one of the most widely practiced religions in Haiti. Originally brought to Haiti by slaves from Africa. Many slaves disguised their Voudo practices by giving spirits different Catholic names.
The basic belief of Voudo is that everything is spirit. There are different spirits in the visible and unseen world.
Voudo temples are often unassuming and tucked away. As a traveller you will need a local guide to locate and find a Voudo ceremony. Most places accept tourists, but it’s always good to create a good relationship with the priest first. As a tourist, you may be asked for a cash donation.
What Should I Take To Haiti?
Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Haiti:
- Loose-Fitting Clothes – Practical clothing to stay cool in Haiti’s heat.
- Close-Toed Shoes – Streets and sewers fill quickly during the rainy season and it’s not safe to walk barefoot in these conditions.
- Swimwear – Haitians are more conservative than Canadians when it comes to the beach.
- Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent – To help repel mosquitos.
- Spare Batteries and Travel Chargers – Electricity is not always available in Haiti.
Canadian Embassy in Haiti
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Haiti, the information for the Canadian Embassy is:
Canadian Embassy in Haiti
Delmas between Delmas 75 and 71
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Telephone: 011 (509) 2812-9000
Ready to start your next journey? Call us at or book online now!
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Haiti?
Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Haiti?
What is the Climate Like in Haiti?
How Safe is Haiti?
Voudo in Haiti
What Should I Take To Haiti?
Canadian Embassy in Haiti
