Measles vaccine or negative test required for Honduras :(

[Kimela]

Well, YOU made it an issue when you said in your OP:

That was unnecessary information but is what caused the ruckus.

I don't understand what is 'ruckus causing' about

"I don't want to get another vaccine, and with the possibility of false-positives I don't want to trust that I will test negative either."

I'm not judging anyone else. Not saying that it's bad to get the vaccine. I'm making a statement about my preferences.

So now I need to anticipate how others might be offended by my preferences or be willing to 'take the heat' (oh wait - someone might be offended that I don't want to get a vaccine - I'd better not include that!!!).

I'm beginning to think the Pub is better than 'upstairs'. At least in the Pub I expect that someone will take offense at every single thing I write. I didn't realize the same rules applied in what used to be the more civilized part of Scubaboard.

 

[Para Goon]

Here's the information from an email update I received from the US State Department.

-----------------------------------
Location: Honduras

Event: This is an update to the STEP Message sent on June 28, 2025, regarding the new requirement for proof of measles and rubella vaccine: There is no requirement for proof of measles and rubella vaccination for travelers arriving in Honduras.

The new requirement is that Honduran citizen minors aged 12 months to 10 years old traveling from Honduras to listed countries must provide evidence of vaccination against measles and rubella upon departure from Honduras.
The United States is on the list of countries and this age group traveling to the United States is required to show proof of the measles and rubella vaccine to depart Honduras. The new requirement will affect dual national citizens of Honduras and the United States. It goes into effect July 7, 2025.

The Ministry of Health will update the list of countries on their website based on information from the World Health Organization.

Actions to Take:

• Check your vaccine history against country specific requirements.
• Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Carry proper identification at all times.
• Visit the CDC Travelers Health Page.
• Monitor local media for updates.
• Monitor local media and U.S. Embassy Facebook and Twitter pages for updates. 
• U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

 Assistance: 

• U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa https://hn.usembassy.gov/ Tel. (504) 2238-5114 or (504) 2236-9320 Email: usahonduras@state.gov 
• State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 
• Honduras International Travel Information 
• Enroll in STEP at https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step to receive security updates 
• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X (twitter.com). 

 

[brsnow]

The sad part is Honduras is trying to do the right thing for it’s population, but if tourism falls off they likely would change approach.

Seems it might not be a bad idea to vaccinate the local population. Perhaps charge the vaccination fee, but use it to help the local population.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

The sad part is Honduras is trying to do the right thing for it’s population, but if tourism falls off they likely would change approach.

Seems it might not be a bad idea to vaccinate the local population. Perhaps charge the vaccination fee, but use it to help the local population.

If they wanted to do the right thing for their population, it seems like that would be the first place they should start.

 

[Ezh]

How on earth did some of you manage to equate not wanting to take an unnesesary vax to being anti-vaxxers??

I appreciate OPs heads-up on the situation as I was planning a trip myself.

I did have rather unpleasant experience with not being able to prove my vax record and as a result - taking a few of the same vaxes just to be compliant, getting false positive because of that and all the mayhem that followed.

 

[CathyE]

Governments like to do stupid sh!t like issue blanket orders that have no bearing on logic, reason, or reality. Calling them on it is NOT being cranky, obstinate, or obtuse. I don't need the vaccine. I was vaccinated in 1966.

I won't go to Mexico because of their asinine law and regs re: sudafed. I won't go to Egypt because of their horrific record of dive boat safety (actually, lack thereof) and cultural incongruity.

If they continue the path they're on, I can just as easily forgo spending money in Honduras because of their equally asinine measels vaccine requirement.

There are other destinations that do diving.

BTW, I am NOT anti-vaccination; I am anti-anybody else trying to make me take one.

And it is certainly your right to choose to stay home.
I refuse to step foot in the US. That’s my choice, I am also unlikely to ever do a livaboard anywhere, for a multitude of reasons.
I’m not sure why some people don’t understand that a country makes rules, and whether we think they are stupid or not we are required to follow them if we wish to visit. Don’t want to follow them? Stay home or go elsewhere. Simple.
For the record, I was called cranky first, I was responding.

 

[CathyE]

Oh, I get it.

I don't understand why folks in this thread feel this intense need to trash me for choosing a path different from theirs. If I don't get the vaccine and I don't go to Honduras, why would anyone here care? What's with the almost immediate 'shade' being thrown my way? I'm not criticizing anyone who wants to get a vaccine. Get as many vaccines as you want. I don't care. Enjoy Honduras - it's beautiful and has lovely people and diving!

Why not simply say to me - or someone like me - 'Oh, that's too bad. Hope you find somewhere else you can dive during that time period instead.'? This isn't a split fins or backplate discussion!!!!! Choosing not to get a vaccine and not go to a country that requires it shouldn't be THIS controversial and divisive.

Oh that’s too bad. I hope you find somewhere else you can dive during that time instead.
Feel better?

 

[therookie]

For what it is worth, a link to a Facebook post from the official account of the Honduras Secretary of Health


Unofficial translation to English (disclaimer: I just had an AI translate it and read it over in both languages - seems correct but I didn't spend a ton of time on it):

---

OFFICIAL STATEMENT


The Secretary of State in the Health Department, in coordination with the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Secretariat of Tourism, National Institute of Migration and Merchant Marine, considering Executive Agreement No. 001-2025 which declares a Health Alert for Measles and was published in the Official Gazette, La Gaceta No. 36,876 dated June 27, 2025, informs the general public and media of the following:

1. It is clarified that to date there are no confirmed cases of measles in the country.
2. The requirement to present a vaccination card will be waived for all international travelers entering the country.
3. The requirement to present a vaccination card will remain only for Honduran citizens aged between 12 months and 10 years, who leave the country for destinations where measles outbreaks are reported.
4. The list of countries with active measles outbreaks will be updated and published weekly on the official website of the Health Department, according to the latest information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
5. Vaccination sites authorized by SESAL (Health Secretariat) will be updated and made available for the public that requires compliance with this requirement either for travel or other reasons. Additionally, we guarantee the availability of vaccination posts at land and air border points of entry.
6. These measures will come into effect starting July 7, 2025.

---

Feels like a case of one branch of government not communicating well with other branches.

And this could all change again between now and July 7. If one learns anything living here it is that anything government-related is generally chaos

 

[Allen-1]

Buy them all day long at the government bookstore.

Veterans have their shot records from their induction if they look for it.

I still have my IHO booklet from when I was 2.

https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/international-certificate-vaccination-or-prophylaxis-approved-world-health-organization-0

My pediatrician is long dead, and his office is long closed. Maryland, (the state I was born in and resided in until I was 17), appears not to have any "central records keeping". I have the scar from the injection, but no paper proof of it.

So, I can make a decision - as a "senior adult", go get a measles vaccination and the corresponding paperwork - or not.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

I refuse to step foot in the US.

Thank yew.