Jamaica Healthcare and Money

By | May 9, 2022

Health care

Vaccinations

Vaccination needed receipt required
Eat Drink 4
cholera no
typhus 2
yellow fever 1
malaria 3

Overview

Medical care in Jamaica does not correspond to European standards, especially with regard to emergency care. The treating physicians as well as the hospitals usually demand immediate cash payment. There are state and private hospitals. It is recommended to take out travel health insurance and travel repatriation insurance. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check directoryaah for more information.

Notes vaccinations

[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who plan to enter the country within 6 days of staying in an infected area designated by the WHO and who are over one year old. This also applies to travelers in transit, regardless of whether they have left the transit area in the infected areas or not. [2] Typhoid occurs, poliomyelitis does not occur. Vaccination against typhoid is recommended. [3] Although no cases of malaria acquired in Jamaica are currently reported, a recurrence of malaria tropica is fundamentally possible. The disease vector, the Anopheles mosquito, continues to be present in Jamaica. Travelers are advised to take careful mosquito protection measures (skin-covering clothing, mosquito nets, mosquito repellent creams, lotions, sprays, incense coils, etc.). This precaution is particularly important in the evening and at night. Drug chemoprophylaxis is currently not necessary according to the assessment of tropical medicine. [4] Tap water is usually chlorinated and relatively clean, but mild stomach upset may occur. Bottled water, which is available everywhere, is therefore recommended for the first few weeks of your stay. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are generally safe. There is an increased risk of intestinal infections nationwide. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets. Meticulous food and drinking water hygiene should be practiced at all times. Caution should be exercised before consuming reef fish and seafood that is offered as a delicatessen in dining restaurants due to the potential for algae poisoning.

Other risks

The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes risks of infection: unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or needles and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include stray dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and conjunctivitis. The infection often goes unnoticed or only has mild symptoms. The isolated deaths documented so far were mainly related to other pre-existing conditions. The virus can cause birth defects and pregnancy complications. There is neither a vaccination nor a medicinal prophylaxis. Consistent compliance with personal mosquito protection measures is recommended.

Money

Currency

1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents. Currency code: J$, JMD (ISO code). Banknotes come in denominations of J$5000, J$1000, J$500, J$100 and J$50. Coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1 J$ as well as 25, 10 and 1 cent. In colloquial language, the currency is also called Jay.

Credit cards

American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa are accepted. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card. Money can be withdrawn with a credit card in the banks. Many Jamaican ATMs also accept Visa, Cirrus, Maestro and Plus logos.

ATMs

Girocard The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol. ATMs with the Maestro symbol are primarily available in Jamaica. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.

Travelers cheques

Traveller’s checks are no longer available in Germany and Switzerland and are rarely available in Austria. US dollar traveler’s checks are recommended for Jamaica. Travelers checks can be cashed at banks and bureaux de change in cities in Jamaica.

Bank opening hours

Mon-Thu 09.00-14.00, Fri 09.00-16.00.

Foreign exchange regulations

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import and export of foreign currencies is unlimited, declaration obligation from an equivalent value of US$ 10,000.

Currency Exchange

Money can be exchanged at the airport exchange office, in all resorts in official exchange offices, as well as in any bank. Receipts must be kept.

Currencies

Code Symbol Exchange rates (no guarantee)
USD U.S$ 1 EUR = US$0.84
1 CHF = US$1.00
1 USD = US$0.81
GBP £ 1 EUR = £0.84
1 CHF = £1.00
1 USD = £0.81
EUR 1 EUR = 0.84 €
1 CHF = 1.00 €
1 USD = 0.81 €
CAD C$ 1 EUR = C$0.84
1 CHF = C$1.00
1 USD = C$0.81
JMD J$ 1 EUR = 0.84 J$
1 CHF = 1.00 J$
1 USD = 0.81 J$

Jamaica Money