Vaccinations
| Special Precautions | |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Sometimes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | No |
| Rabies | No |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | No |
| Yellow Fever | No* |
|
Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be
required, depending on the season and region visited.
|
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.
Food and Drink
Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Other Risks
Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended.
Health Care
There is one large hospital, the Kingstown General Hospital. In addition, there are district rural hospitals, health centres and a medical laboratory. Visitors can get treatment at primary level, but need a referral for access to the main hospital. As facilities are limited, serious medical problems require evacuation to another island or the USA. Visitors would be expected to pay the full costs for services, therefore health insurance with emergency repatriation is recommended. Visitors with Blue Cross or Blue Shield should have their cards with them and can obtain assistance through the Life of Barbados company.
