New vaccination requirement for residency in Uruguay

Uruguay has been experiencing an increase in immigration. Especially amongst citizens from tropical climes like Venezuela, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. So the Uruguay Ministry of Public Health now requires anyone applying for permanent residence to show proof of vaccination.

What are the legal changes in Uruguay regarding vaccinations?

Previously the only requirement to get a medical certificate for residence purposes was an up to date tetanus jab. Now the authorities require proof that adults (over 18) in addition have the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.

The health ministry’s decree does not state that the proof needs to be legalised, but getting it legalised/apostilled will avoid problems. We understand that a translation will not be necessary if the certificate is in a Roman alphabet language. Otherwise a translation will be required.

Vaccinations are obligatory for children in Uruguay

Children under 18 must be able to show they have been given all the vaccines required for Uruguayan children. These are currently: measles (at five years old), Hib B vaccine, chickenpox, hepatitis B (at twelve), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, hepatitis A, PCV13 and polio.

You can be vaccinated in Uruguay

Any applicant who is not able to show they have been given these vaccinations can simply go to any vaccination centre to get the vaccinations done. Vaccinations are given for free at any public health centre or paid at a private one.

Since vaccinations can be done free of charge in public health centres, it is not a financial burden for applicants. However most applicants will find it easier to bring a vaccination certificate with them.

Equal treatment under the law

The Ministry of Health points out that having up to date vaccinations is already a requirement for Uruguayan nationals. So enforcing them for applicants for residence is simply requiring equality with locals.

And it’s important to note that if a person can show an allergy or other medical condition which means they should not have a vaccination, this is sufficient to exclude the requirement.