Is it safe for a healthy 6‑month‑old infant, with routine immunizations up‑to‑date, to travel to Mexico?

Travel to Mexico for a 6-Month-Old Infant

Yes, a healthy 6-month-old infant with up-to-date routine immunizations can safely travel to Mexico, but requires specific pre-travel vaccinations including hepatitis A vaccine and consideration of accelerated MMR vaccination depending on travel duration and destination risk.

Pre-Travel Vaccination Requirements

Hepatitis A Protection

• Administer hepatitis A vaccine to all infants aged 6-11 months traveling outside the United States when protection against hepatitis A virus (HAV) is recommended. 1
• Mexico is classified as an area with high or intermediate HAV endemicity, making this vaccination essential. 1
• This travel dose should not be counted toward the routine 2-dose series; the standard hepatitis A vaccination series must still be initiated at age 12 months according to the routine schedule. 1
• If parents elect not to receive the vaccine or if vaccine is contraindicated, administer immune globulin (IG) at 0.1 mL/kg for travel up to 1 month, or 0.2 mL/kg for travel up to 2 months. 1

Measles Protection

• MMR vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6-11 months traveling internationally due to increased measles risk in many countries including Mexico. 1
• Hepatitis A vaccine and MMR can be administered simultaneously at different anatomic sites. 1
• This early MMR dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series; the child still requires MMR at 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years. 2

Critical Timing Consideration

• Important caveat: If the infant receives immune globulin (IG) for hepatitis A protection, MMR vaccine should not be administered for at least 3 months after IG receipt, as passive antibodies interfere with vaccine response. 1
• Therefore, if using IG for hepatitis A, delay MMR vaccination; if using hepatitis A vaccine, both can be given together. 1

Routine Immunization Status Verification

Ensure Age-Appropriate Vaccines Are Current

• By 6 months, the infant should have completed: 3
  • Three doses of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) at 2,4, and 6 months
  • Three doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at 2,4, and 6 months
  • Three doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b at 2,4, and 6 months
  • Three doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine at 2,4, and 6 months
  • Two or three doses of rotavirus (depending on brand) by 6 months
  • Three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (birth, 2 months, 6 months)

Influenza Vaccination

• If traveling during influenza season, initiate the 2-dose influenza vaccine series (doses separated by 28 days) starting at 6 months of age. 3

Additional Travel Considerations

Documentation and Follow-Up

• Bring complete vaccination records during travel. 4
• Document all vaccines administered abroad and provide this information to the primary care provider upon return. 4
• Ensure completion of the routine vaccination schedule after return, particularly the standard hepatitis A series starting at 12 months. 1

General Health Risks in Mexico

• Travelers' diarrhea affects approximately 40% of visitors to Mexico. 5
• Environmental hazards include sun exposure, heat, high altitude (depending on destination), and accidents. 5
• Ensure access to safe food and water; breastfeeding provides optimal protection for infants. 6

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not skip the hepatitis A vaccine assuming the infant is too young—the 6-11 month age group specifically requires this protection for international travel. 1
• Do not count travel-dose vaccines toward the routine childhood series; these must be repeated at the standard ages. 1
• Do not administer MMR and IG simultaneously—this will render the MMR ineffective due to antibody interference. 1
• Do not delay travel vaccines until the last minute; ideally administer as soon as travel is planned to ensure adequate immune response. 1