Vaccination

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

Hepatitis A. This vaccine is recommended because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Peru, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

Thyphoid. You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Peru. This vaccine is recommended for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

Hepatitis B. You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so it's recommended to get this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

Malaria. When traveling in Peru, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans, such as where you are going, when you are traveling, and if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or sleeping outside. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling.

Rabies. Although rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Peru, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends this vaccine only for these groups:

Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for animal bites (such as adventure travel and caving).
People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).
People who are taking long trips or moving to remote areas in Peru
Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.

Yellow fever. Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age going to areas at elevations <2,300 m (7,546 ft) in the regions of Amazonas, Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martin and Ucayali, Puno, Cusco, Junín, Pasco, and Huánuco, and designated areas of the following regions: far north of Apurimac, far northern Huancavelica, far northeastern Ancash, eastern La Libertad, northern and eastern Cajamarca, northern and northeastern Ayacucho, and eastern Piura.

Generally not recommended for travelers whose itineraries are limited to the following areas west of the Andes: regions of Lambayeque and Tumbes and the designated areas of western Piura and south, west, and central Cajamarca. Not recommended for travelers whose itineraries are limited to the following areas: all areas >2,300 m (7,546 ft) in elevation, areas west of the Andes not listed above, the city of Cusco, the capital city of Lima, Machu Picchu, and the Inca Trail.