Adult Immunizations and Travel Vaccines in Colombia: Where Expats Get Routine Shots and Boosters

The question usually hits right before a trip to the jungle or the coast: your tetanus shot is a decade old, a friend says hepatitis A is a must, and nobody can tell you whether you pay or not. In Colombia the answer depends on one split: vaccines inside the national program (PAI) and vaccines outside it.

This guide is informational, not medical advice. A clinician or travel-medicine service should decide what you need, and when.

Quick answer: what is free and what is not

• Free: PAI vaccines. Under Ley 2406 de 2024 they are free for residents in Colombia, and MinSalud's national guidelines describe vaccination "without barriers" for foreigners and migrants.
• Usually paid: many adult and travel extras, such as hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, zoster and adult HPV boosters. The provider sets price, dose and eligibility.
• Carné: the 2026 PAI guidelines say the adult carné and the international certificate should be supplied free. Confirm at the point.

According to MinSalud's own Q&A page (vacunacion.minsalud.gov.co, as accessed November 2026), anyone living in or passing through Colombia can use PAI services whether or not they hold Colombian documents, have regular migratory status, or are affiliated to the health system.

Who qualifies and what to bring

Honestly, this is the part that surprises people most. You do not have to be in an EPS to get a PAI shot, and nationality is not the filter. The guidelines (MinSalud, PAI 2026) say foreigners should be vaccinated without barriers.

What I would bring anyway: your passport or Colombian ID, and any vaccine record from home, even a photo on your phone. MinSalud says vaccinators can guide you on what applies and can issue a copy of earlier records if you lack them. Rules at individual points vary, so ask before you go instead of assuming.

Routine adult boosters

Before any trip, the US CDC's Colombia page (wwwnc.cdc.gov, as accessed November 2026) tells travelers to be up to date on routine vaccines, listing among others tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, flu, measles-mumps-rubella, polio, chickenpox and shingles. That is a good checklist to take to a clinician.

Which of those the PAI covers for your age, and which you must pay for, changes by group. Pregnant women and older adults, for example, have specific entries. I will not give intervals here; ask the clinician to read your record and tell you what is due.

Travel vaccines: where it gets paid

Hepatitis A is spread mainly through contaminated water and food, which is why long-stay expats who eat street food ask about it. If water quality at home worries you, our piece on water filter systems for expats is a useful companion, though a filter is not a substitute for a clinician's advice.

Typhoid, rabies, hepatitis B and others are usually paid, and schedules, age limits and contraindications are set by the provider. Pharmacy-style vaccination chains and nonprofits such as Profamilia publish lists of the adult vaccines they offer (profamilia.org.co, as accessed November 2026), noting service depends on clinic availability. Downside: stock and appointments are not guaranteed, so call first.

Yellow fever, briefly

Colombia's health ministry recommends yellow fever vaccination for residents and travelers heading to high-risk areas, and airlines may ask for the carné on some domestic routes. I will not repeat the details here: read the yellow fever vaccine guide.

Red Cross points and private clinics

The Red Cross runs travelers' vaccination lines through its regional branches (seccionales). What they offer depends on the seccional and on the rules of your destination country.

One sourced example is Bogotá. In a September 2024 campaign the Bogotá seccional listed six vaccination points, including Unicentro at Av. 15 # 123-30. Hours and points are dated, so confirm on cruzrojabogota.org.co/salud before you travel. I have no verified point list for other cities: check your local seccional's website or call.

Private travel clinics are the other route. They are often quicker than an EPS appointment but cost out of pocket. Only use licensed vaccination points (an IPS or the Red Cross) and be wary of unlicensed home-vaccination offers, because you need a legitimate record at the end.

The carné and the international certificate

A stamped record is what airlines, border posts and your next country will ask for. The PAI guidelines say the adult carné and the international vaccination certificate should be supplied free, but practice varies, so ask at the point and check the entries before you leave. Photograph the whole card and keep the original with your passport.

Budgeting and EPS versus paying yourself

I am not quoting peso figures: prices differ by provider and change often. Ask for a written quote for each vaccine and each consult, and ask whether the consult is included. Fixed-price lists published by regional Red Cross branches exist, so compare two or three before paying.

If you have an EPS, PAI shots are free anyway; the wait matters mostly for non-PAI vaccines you would pay for regardless. For how the system works for foreigners, see our guides on EPS health insurance for foreigners and healthcare for expats. If your symptoms are not a routine-shot question, read what to do in a medical emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Are vaccines free for foreigners in Colombia?

PAI vaccines are free for residents, and national guidelines describe vaccination without barriers for foreigners. Vaccines outside the PAI, such as many travel shots, are generally paid and vary by provider. Ask the vaccination point which category yours falls in. (verify with the official source, as accessed)

❓ Do I need an EPS to get a PAI vaccine?

Under MinSalud's guidelines, affiliation to the health system should not be a barrier to PAI vaccination. Individual points can differ in practice, so call ahead and bring your passport or Colombian ID. (verify with the official source, as accessed)

❓ Where can I get travel vaccines in Bogotá?

The Bogotá Red Cross listed six vaccination points in a September 2024 travelers' campaign, including one at Unicentro. That information is dated, so confirm current points and hours on the Red Cross Bogotá health page before going. (verify with the official source, as accessed)

❓ Which travel vaccines are not covered by the PAI?

Typical paid examples include hepatitis A, typhoid, rabies, zoster and adult HPV boosters, though this varies by provider. A clinician decides what you need based on your itinerary, age and history. This is general information, not medical advice. (verify with the official source, as accessed)

❓ How do I get a vaccination carné or international certificate?

The 2026 PAI guidelines say the adult carné and the international certificate should be supplied free. Ask at the vaccination point, bring any previous records, and check that every dose is entered and stamped before you leave. (verify with the official source, as accessed)

❓ Do I need yellow fever vaccination before the Amazon?

Health authorities recommend it for travelers to high-risk areas, and airlines may ask for the carné on some routes. Rules change, so read our yellow fever guide and confirm with a clinician before booking. (verify with the official source, as accessed)

❓ How much do private vaccines cost?

It varies by provider and changes often, so there is no single figure to rely on. Ask each clinic or Red Cross seccional for a written quote covering the vaccine and any consultation, and compare at least two. (verify with the official source, as accessed)