Healthcare in Brazil
When traveling to Brazil we recommend that you get full travel and medical insurance. You will find that most Brazilians take out their own private health care, such as BUPA .
Vaccinations may also be required for you, dependent on what you have already. We strongly suggest visiting your GP and seeking advice on what you will need. There is also the risk of Malaria in some regions of Brazil particular the Northern regions and so reducing exposure is recommended.
Other vaccinations that are recommended are:
| Hepatitis A |
Recommended for everyone |
| Yellow Fever |
Recommended for all areas in the states of Acre, Amapa, Amazones, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sol, Minas Gerais, Para, Rondonia, Roraima, and Tocantins, and parts of the states of Bahia, Parana, Piaui, Rio Grande do Sul, and Sao Paulo.
Required if you are arriving from a yellow-fever infected area of Africa or the Americas . |
| Hepatitis B |
For those who may have intimate contact with local residents, especially when visiting for more than 6 months |
| Rabies |
For those who may have direct contact with animals and may not have access to medical care |
| Routine Vaccinations |
All travelers should be up-to-date on tetanus-diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, and chicken pox vaccinations |
You will find that the major cities treat their water supplies, but this does cause it to taste full of chemicals, but it is safe to drink if put through a filter first. You may like to ask the hotel or restaurant before drinking the water supplied.
There is a system that employees pay into nationally, giving them rights to medical services and a pension. But the medical and dental care in Brazil is of a good standard particularly in the cities.
When it comes to the standard of health care you will hear varying stories of how good it is, from people having to wait in long queues in some districts, to others where a very prompt service has been received. There is also a good amount of hospitals available and all will treat everyone free of charge.
For further information on health, check the British Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk