Discovering Costa Rica

Page 42

Discovering Costa Rica

Health

Medical/Dental Systems Overview

Costa Rica offers universal health care for all of its citizens and permanent residents. Costa

Rica is constantly focusing on ways to improve their healthcare system and therefore have one

of the best systems in Latin America. Ranked by the United Nations as one of top 20 worldwide

healthcare systems as well as the number one in Latin America, Costa Ricans have a long life

expectancy and some of the best hospitals in the region. Along with the public healthcare

system, private healthcare is offered through INS, a government insurance company. The

dental care in Costa Rica is also one of the best with many dentists working for the government

health system or through private practices. The cost of dental care is also far lower with all the

products being FDA approved and imported from the United States.

Vaccinations

Before traveling to Costa Rica, it is advised that every traveler stays up-to-date on routine

vaccines. Ask your doctor what other vaccines and medicines you need; depending on your

situation, these may include Hepatitis B, Malaria and/or Rabies. Costa Rica, which has no risk

of Yellow Fever, requires proof of vaccination for people arriving from South America. If you are

traveling from the United States, this vaccination is not required.

Vaccination

Birth 2M, 4M,

12M 15M 18M 24M

30M

11Y

14/

18Y

Tuberculosis

BCG

Hepatitis B

HVB

HVB-2,

HVB-3,

HVBR

Diphtheria,

Whooping

Cough,

Tetanus

DPT-1,

2, 3

DPT

DPT2R

Diphtheria-

Tetanus

Haemophilus

Influenza B

HiB-1,

2, 3

HiB1

Poliomyelitis

Oral

POV-1,

2, 3

POV1R

Measles,

Mumps

SRP

SRP1R

SRP2R

Chicken Pox

VAR

VAR1R

Hepatitis A

HVA1 HVA2

Key- M: Months, Y: Years