Vaccinations for hepatitis A and Tetanus are recommended for anyone planning to enter Cuba. For those hoping to travel extensively throughout Cuba for long periods of time, diphtheria, rabies, typhoid, tuberculosis, meningitis and hepatitis B vaccinations are also recommended.
In order to get your immunizations on time, it is recommended that you consult your doctor about three months before your planned date of departure. Although most vaccinations can be completed within four to six weeks, there are some, such as for tuberculosis and diphtheria, that should be initiated about 12 weeks before becoming effective. You should being the immunization process at least eight weeks in advance for hepatitis B, four weeks for rabies and two weeks for hepatitis A.
Once in Cuba, care should be exercised in terms of eating and drinking so as to minimize the risk of infection. The local meats, seafoods, poultry, dairy products and fruits in Cuba are generally safe to eat, but tap water is best avoided. Avoid ordering drinks with ice in cheaper restaurants (where it is often frozen tap water) and buy bottled water as often as possible.
Although chances of infection are extremely low, urban areas in Cuba such as Havana can potentially host dengue fever thanks to the spread of urban species of mosquitos like Aedes aegypti. These areas can also host outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fever. Vaccinations for these viruses do not exist. Take measures to protect yourself from mosquitos by wearing long pants and sleeves after dark and using mosquito repellent heavy in DEET when in urban centers in Cuba.
Now for the good news. When traveling to Cuba, vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis, cholera, yellow fever and encephalitis are not required, nor are they recommended. Also, there is no need to take measures against malaria, as there is no such risk present in Cuba.
