Mexico does not require any vaccines for entry from the United States, but food, water and mosquitoes still cause most travel illness there. A few recommended shots go a long way.
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water and can cause weeks of illness. It is recommended for most travelers to Mexico, whether you are staying at a resort or visiting family.
Our certified specialists will recommend the right vaccines based on your specific destination and travel plans.
Your risks depend on where in Mexico you are going and what you will be doing.
Mexico is the most common international trip for Arizona travelers, which is exactly why it gets skipped at the pre-travel stage. A long weekend in Rocky Point, a week in Cancun and a month with family in Oaxaca carry very different risks. At your consultation we look at where you are going, how you will eat and travel, and your vaccination history, then recommend only the vaccines needed for Mexico that fit your trip.
Most illness in travelers to Mexico comes from food and water. We recommend hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers, and typhoid protection for rural travel, adventurous eating, longer stays and visits with friends and family. We also talk through traveler’s diarrhea prevention and treatment so a bad meal does not ruin the trip.
Dengue is the most common mosquito-borne disease in Mexico, and chikungunya and Zika also circulate. We recommend an EPA-registered repellent such as DEET or picaridin on every trip. A chikungunya vaccine is available and may be recommended for some travelers heading to areas with active outbreaks. Yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis are not a concern in Mexico, and malaria is limited to a few rural areas, so most travelers do not need malaria medication.
If you are crossing the border for a procedure, hepatitis B protection is worth discussing first. See our medical tourism page, or read our guide to the vaccines Arizona travelers need before a Mexico trip.
We recommend booking 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Leaving sooner? Call (480) 435-2774, because many travel vaccines can still be given on short notice. Our Scottsdale travel clinic serves travelers from across the Phoenix metro, and you can book online any time.
Arizona’s only independent travel clinic with certified specialists
Don’t wait until the last minute. Yellow Fever and other vaccines require time to become effective.
Book at least 6-8 weeks before travel for optimal protection
