2026 World Cup: Colombian Travelers Required to Be Fully Vaccinated Against Measles
Just weeks before millions of fans begin traveling to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Colombia’s Ministry of Health issued a warning to travelers from the country: review and complete their measles vaccination schedule at least 15 days before departure.
The recommendation comes amid a concerning rise in measles cases across North America and other parts of the continent. Health authorities fear that the massive international mobility associated with the tournament could facilitate the spread of a virus considered one of the most contagious in the world and capable of causing severe complications and even death in unvaccinated individuals.
2026 World Cup: Colombian travelers required to be fully vaccinated against measles
According to information cited by the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported more than 20,000 confirmed measles cases and 25 deaths in the Americas during the first 19 epidemiological weeks of 2026. Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Guatemala account for a large share of the infections recorded this year.
The resurgence of the disease has also affected Colombia. Health authorities have confirmed several imported cases in the country during 2026, linked to travelers arriving from abroad, particularly from territories where the virus is actively circulating.
Against this backdrop, the government is seeking to prevent the sustained reintroduction of measles in Colombia, which has maintained certification of the elimination of endemic transmission of the disease since 2014. To that end, the Ministry of Health and the National Health Institute have strengthened epidemiological surveillance measures and immunization campaigns throughout the country.
The authorities’ main message is directed at Colombians planning to travel to any of the three host countries of the 2026 World Cup. The Ministry of Health insists that individuals verify their vaccination records and, if they have incomplete schedules or doubts about their immunization status, visit a vaccination center well in advance.
The official recommendation states that any required doses should be administered at least two weeks before travel, the time needed for the body to develop an adequate immune response against the virus. The Ministry also notes that more than 3,000 vaccination sites are available across the country and that the vaccines are free of charge.
Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo has stated that the scale of the World Cup and the increase in cases across the region significantly raise the risk of transmission during international travel and mass gatherings. He therefore urged travelers to review their vaccination status in a timely manner and complete any required immunization schedules.
#Minsalud reitera la recomendación a todas las personas que viajarán a Estados Unidos, México o Canadá con motivo del Mundial de Fútbol para que verifiquen su antecedente de vacunación contra el sarampión. Quienes no cuenten con el esquema completo o tengan dudas sobre si… pic.twitter.com/P0VqRLvjyb
— MinSalud Colombia 🇨🇴 (@MinSaludCol) June 5, 2026
Who should get vaccinated?
Health authorities have placed special emphasis on protecting children, adolescents, and international travelers. Among the measures adopted is an intensive vaccination strategy during June, including active outreach campaigns and a nationwide immunization drive.
In addition, infants between 6 and 11 months of age who will be traveling to countries where the virus is circulating may receive an additional dose known as the “zero dose,” although it does not replace the vaccines included in the regular childhood immunization schedule. Authorities also recommend verifying that children have received both doses of the MMR vaccine and that travelers between the ages of 11 and 59 have adequate protection before leaving the country.
Measles is transmitted through the air via respiratory droplets and has a higher transmission rate than many other viral diseases. Symptoms include fever, cough, nasal congestion, red eyes, and a characteristic skin rash. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, and other potentially fatal complications.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins, Colombian authorities believe vaccination remains the primary tool for preventing outbreaks and protecting both travelers and the general population.
The goal is to ensure that the world’s biggest sporting event does not also become a favorable setting for the spread of a disease that, despite being preventable, has once again raised public health concerns across the continent.