The Brazilian public health system has a comprehensive network of hospitals and care centers. Nonetheless, it is recommended to get health insurance before travelling.

Vaccines

Although not mandatory, the Ministry of Health of Brazil does recommend vaccination against yellow fever to those who visit the Federal District and the following states: Acre, Amapá. Amazonas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Pará, Piauí, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondônia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, São Paulo and Tocantins. To be effective, vaccination must occur ten days prior to entering risk areas. The vaccine is valid for ten years.

The Ministry of Health also recommends vaccination against hepatitis A to those who visit the Amazon region. You can check all vaccines recommended by the Ministry of Health of Brazil in the link below:

http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/visualizar_texto.cfm?idtxt=21464

It is also important to check the list of vaccines recommended by the government of your country of nationality or residence.

 Medication

Certain medications, like anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic drugs, can be easily purchased at pharmacies in the country, or even by phone. However, the purchase of certain medications, such as prescription drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants and others require a prescription issued by a Brazilian doctor, usually from the same state as where the medicine is to be acquired. As such, we recommend that travellers bring, from their countries of origins, any continuous-use and / or commonly-used drugs, accompanied by a prescription or proof showing that the drugs are for personal use.