Are Travel Vaccines Required to Visit Florida

In 2024, Florida once again is attracting vacationers with its stunning beaches. Updated statistics indicate that in 2023, the total number of visitors to Florida reached 135 million, with millions arriving from overseas.

While this is great for Florida's tourism, it also raises concerns from a health perspective.

According to the Florida Department of Health's Week #34 Arbovirus Report, various travel-related and locally-acquired disease cases have been confirmed this year in people from multiple counties. 

Infected mosquitoes also spread some vaccine-preventable diseases to Florida's 23 million residents.

As of August 24, 2024, Alachua, Bay, Duval, Holmes, Madison, Nassau, Pasco, and Walton counties are under a mosquito-borne illness advisory. Hillsborough, Marion, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties are currently under mosquito-borne illness alerts. 

Diseases confirmed this year include, but are not limited to, the following:

Five cases of travel-associated chikungunya that began in 2024 have been reported in individuals with a travel history to a chikungunya-endemic area. Florida counties reporting cases were Broward (2), Manatee, Orange, and Pinellas. The country of origin for these cases was Brazil (5).

In 2024, 25 cases of locally acquired dengue fever have been reported in Hillsborough, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, and Pasco. Additionally, four hundred and seventeen travel-associated dengue cases have been reported in individuals with a travel history to dengue-endemic areas, such as Brazil, Columbia, and Cuba.

Thirty-eight cases of malaria with onset in 2024 have been reported in individuals with a travel history to a malaria-endemic area. In 2023, the Sarasota area reported locally -acquired malaria cases.

Thirty Oropouche cases have recently been reported in individuals with a travel history to Cuba or South America.

Generally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues a Travel Health Advisory to alert travelers to disease outbreaks. As of September 4, 2024, the CDC has not issued an advisory for Florida this year.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, the United Kingdom's Travel Health Pro stated on September 4, 2024, that those at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work or specific underlying health problems should be updated with additional recommended vaccines before visiting the U.S.

Travel Health Pro confirmed that locally acquired dengue has been reported in Florida this year, and visitors should 'take usual precautions.'

Regarding access to preventive vaccines, dengue vaccines are transitioning in the U.S. but are available in other countries.

"The only approved vaccine in the U.S. is Dengvaxia, But according to the CDC, the manufacturer has discontinued production. However, other countries offer a dengue vaccine for protection," wrote Duellyn Pandis, DNP, MS, APRN, FNP-C, Certificate in Travel Health®, President & CEO, Passport Health of Tampa Bay.

"We anticipate another dengue vaccine becoming available in the U.S. within the next year," added Pandis.

Two malaria vaccines are only available in Africa, and no Oropouche vaccine has been approved. However, Valneva SE's newly approved   IXCHIQ® chikungunya vaccine is readily available at travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Note: This article was updated with vaccine expert statement on Sept. 9, 2024