Hello and welcome to the JAMSA Organizing Committee
Health Sub-Committee page. This page was designed
with you in mind and highlights some of the health
issues you should be aware of.
Before
Visiting Jamaica | Vaccinations
| Items to Bring
with You | Staying
Healthy
Avoid Injuries
| Accessing Emergency
Medical and other Health Services
The CDC recommends that
you see a health-care provider who specializes
in Travel Medicine so as to ensure that you are
properly immunized for travel. To have the most
benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6
weeks before your trip to allow time for your
vaccines to take effect.
Even if you have less
than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still
see a health-care provider for needed vaccines,
other medications and information about how to
protect yourself from illness and injury while
traveling.
If you have a medical
condition, you should also share your travel plans
with your doctors to ensure that you are healthy
enough for travel and that your condition can
be controlled while away from home.
No Pets of any
kind will be allowed entry into Jamaica.
Mandatory
Vaccinations: Although yellow
fever is not a disease risk in Jamaica,
the government requires travelers
arriving from countries
where yellow fever is present to present proof
of yellow fever vaccination. If you will be traveling
to one of these countries where yellow fever is
present before arriving in Jamaica, this requirement
must be taken into consideration.
Routine Vaccinations:
Be sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date.
Check the links below to see which vaccinations
adults and children should get. Routine vaccines,
as they are often called, such as for influenza,
chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella
(MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT)
are given at all stages of life; see the childhood
and adolescent immunization schedule and routine
adult
immunization schedule.
Medicines you may need:
- The prescription medicines you take every
day. Make sure you have enough to last during
your trip. Keep them in their original prescription
bottles and always in your carry-on luggage.
Be sure to follow security
guidelines, if the medicines are liquids.
- Medicine for diarrhea, usually over-the-counter.
Note:
Some drugs available by prescription in one country
are illegal in other countries. Check the US Department
of State Consular
Information Sheets for Jamaica or contact
the embassy or consulate for Jamaica in your country.
If your medication is not allowed in Jamaica ask
your health-care provider to write a letter on
office stationery stating the medication has been
prescribed for you.
- Prevent Insect
Bites
- Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially before eating. If soap and water are
not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with
at least 60% alcohol).
- To avoid animal bites and serious diseases
(including rabies and plague) do not handle or
pet animals, especially dogs and cats, If you
are bitten or scratched, wash the wound immediately
with soap and water and seek medical attention.
- To avoid infections such as HIV and viral
hepatitis do not share needles for tattoos, body
piercing, or injections.
- To reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases always use latex condoms.
- To prevent fungal and parasitic infections,
keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot,
especially on beaches where animals may have defecated.
Car crashes are a leading
cause of injury among travelers. Protect yourself
from these injuries by:
- Not drinking and driving.
- Wearing your seat belt and using car seats
or booster seats in the backseat for children.
- Following local traffic laws.
- Wearing helmets when you ride bikes, motorcycles,
and motor bikes.
- Not getting on an overloaded bus or mini-bus.
- Only utilizing the methods of transportation
designated by the Organizing Committee
- Avoiding night driving as much as possible.
Upon your arrival, an
Emergency Hotline will be made
available to all visitors. This hotline connects
you to our EMS system in the event of an emergency
while you are here and may also be used to address
general health concerns.
If there are any questions
regarding health issues, feel free to contact
us via this medium.
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