"I'm just going to an all-inclusive in Mexico — do I really need travel vaccines?" We hear this question every week at Imagine Health Pharmacy. The short answer: yes.
Mexico is the #1 international destination for Canadians, and many travelers assume that because it's familiar and popular, it's low-risk. That's not the case.
Hepatitis A — The Vaccine Most Mexico Travelers Skip (and Shouldn't)
Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Even at well-known resorts in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas, outbreaks occur. Ice in drinks, fresh salads washed with local water, and buffet food that's been sitting out — these are all potential sources.
Hepatitis A can make you seriously ill for weeks to months. The vaccine is a single injection that provides protection for your trip, with a booster at 6–12 months for lifetime immunity. There's no good reason to skip it.
Typhoid — Especially If You're Leaving the Resort
If you plan to eat at local restaurants, visit markets, or travel outside the resort zone, typhoid vaccination is recommended. Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated food and water, and it's present throughout Mexico.
Traveler's Diarrhea — The Most Common Issue
Up to 30–50% of travelers to Mexico experience some form of GI illness. While not life-threatening, it can ruin several days of your vacation. We can prescribe Dukoral (an oral vaccine that also protects against ETEC, the most common bacterial cause) and provide a standby antibiotic kit.
Routine Vaccines You Might Be Missing
When was your last tetanus booster? Are your Hepatitis B and MMR vaccines current? Many Canadians are surprised to learn their routine vaccines have lapsed. We check all of this during your travel consultation.
What About Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica?
The same recommendations apply to most Caribbean destinations: Hepatitis A, typhoid if eating locally, up-to-date routine vaccines, and mosquito precautions for dengue and Zika. Cuba has slightly different healthcare access considerations that we'll discuss in your appointment.
Don't Assume You're Safe Because It's "Just Mexico"
We see patients every month who come back from Mexico wishing they'd been vaccinated. A 15-minute appointment and one injection could save you a week of illness. Book your pre-trip consultation today.
📍 Imagine Health Pharmacy — #4120, 15 Sunpark Plaza SE, Calgary
📞 (403) 910-3990
🌐 Book a Travel Consultation
Explore More Latin America Destination Guides
- Mexico Travel Vaccines — Full Guide
- Costa Rica Travel Vaccines — Typhoid, hepatitis A, malaria (rural areas)
- Colombia Travel Vaccines — Typhoid, hepatitis A, yellow fever (Amazon), malaria
- Brazil Travel Vaccines — Yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A
- Peru Travel Vaccines — Yellow fever (Amazon), malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A
- Jamaica Travel Vaccines — Hepatitis A, typhoid (no malaria)