Covid Vaccination Rates in Costa Rica

Last Updated: February 11, 2022

We have been hearing from a lot of people who are planning trips this winter. They are wondering what’s going on with Covid in Costa Rica and what to expect for the future. In this post, we’ll let you know how Covid vaccinations are going in Costa Rica. We’ll give current vaccination numbers and resources to stay up to date.

Covid Vaccination Rates Costa Rica

Covid in Costa Rica – Background

As of February 2022, Costa Rica’s Covid numbers are increasing again. New cases and hospitalizations were extremely low in October-December, but are going up again with the Omicron variant. 

We have a whole post dedicated to Costa Rica’s Covid current numbers, Costa Rica and the Coronavirus. We update the article every day, Monday through Friday, when the government comes out with new data. You can refer to that article for more information.

Covid Vaccine Rollout in Costa Rica

The government started administering vaccines at the end of 2020 but didn’t start its public vaccination campaign until early 2021. The country was off to a somewhat slow start due to a lack of supply. Costa Rica didn’t start getting significant amounts of vaccine until mid-year.

Costa Rica has contracts with Pfizer-BioNTech and Astra Zeneca. It is also part of the COVAX alliance.

Costa Rica also has received donated vaccines from other countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain, and Austria.

The majority of the vaccine supply is Pfizer-BioNTech.

Priority Groups

The government created a priority system for Covid vaccinations due to the limited supply.

Group 1 is health care workers, first responders, and staff at nursing homes.

Group 2 is older adults (ages 58 and up).

Group 3 is people ages 16-57 with a preexisting condition/risk factor. These include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, asthma, obesity, etc. [Note: Costa Rica later opened this up to starting at age 12 for children with preexisting conditions once the Pfizer vaccine was approved for kids.]

Group 4 is teachers and certain public employees.

Group 5 is the general population with no risk factors (everyone else).

Chart Vaccination Rates Covid Costa Rica
The original chart from the Ministry of Health on vaccination groups

Within those groups, appointments were initially given based on age. So, for example, in Group 3, they started with ages 50-57 and didn’t do lower ages until they had a certain percentage of the older group vaccinated.

Delaying Second Shot

Costa Rica vaccinated Groups 1 and 2 following the standard recommended timeframe between doses (21 days).

However, starting with Group 3 (risk factors group), they spaced out doses by 12 weeks. The idea was to get more people one shot, similar to what some European countries have done.

Booster Shots

Costa Rica started administering third doses (booster shots) late in 2021.

Currently, they are giving boosters to anyone who had their last shot at least five months ago.

Current Vaccination Rates in Costa Rica

As of February 7, 2022, 79% of the total population has had at least one shot. 72% has had two shots. 12% has had a booster shot.

This is according to the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) website. The CCSS is Costa Rica’s public healthcare system. It is in charge of administering the vaccine along with the Ministry of Health.

Among older adults (age 58+), 96.5% has had one shot, 96.1% has had two shots, and 62.1% has had a booster.

For ages 40-57, 94.4% has had one shot, 89.3% has had two shots, and 4.6% has had a booster.

For ages 20-39, 92.5% has had one shot, 82.5% has had two shots, and 3.1% has had a booster.

For ages 12-19, 91.7% has had one shot, 80.2% has had two shots, and 0.2% has had a booster.

Children Ages 5-11

Costa Rica started vaccinating children ages 5-11 in January 2022. They are starting with the older children first (age 11) and working down.

Currently, 16.4% of children ages 5-11 have had one dose and 2.7% has had a second dose. Second doses are being administered 21 days after the first dose.

Covid Vaccination Campaign Costa Rica
A Covid vaccination site in the San Jose area. Photo Credit: CCSS

Background – Speeding up the Rollout

In July 2021, Costa Rica started receiving large vaccine shipments. At that point, it opened vaccination up to everyone age 40 and older.

It started with a mass vaccination effort. The goal was to apply 500,000 doses that the United States donated between July 16-25, 2021. Doses were still spaced out by 12 weeks, but anyone within that age group could get their first shot.

In the following weeks, they dropped it to 30 years old. Now, it is open to anyone ages 12 and up. An appointment is no longer needed. You can just show up at a local public clinic.

Importantly, in late August, they changed the time between doses to eight weeks for ages 30-57. This was because of the surge in the Delta variant and increase in hospitalizations.

What this meant is that many of those people in Group 5 (general population group) who got their first dose in late July or August were able to get the second shot in September or October. This is when full vaccination rates began increasing significantly. 

Costa Rica did another big vaccination campaign in September. Local hospitals and clinics across the country were open 7 am-7 pm every day of the week.

Parrrita EBAIS Covid Vaccination
The EBAIS (public clinic) in Parrita shortly after vaccinations were opened to Group 3.

Staying Up to Date

We will update this post regularly with current vaccination numbers. But if you’d like to follow this day to day, the CCSS has updated information on their website.

Vaccine Hesitance

Although there is some vaccine hesitance in Costa Rica, overall, it is minimal. Costa Rica has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world in general. We expect it to have a high Covid vaccination rate as well.

The government is really pushing people to get vaccinated on the news and social media. They have been having mass vaccination campaigns in public spaces like malls and vaccinating by car in some areas, in an effort to get more people to come out.

Covid Vaccination Site Costa Rica
Vaccinating at a university in San Jose. Photo Credit: CCSS

Covid Vaccination Requirements in Costa Rica

Tourists

Currently, anyone can travel to Costa Rica. If you are not fully vaccinated, you just need to purchase specific travel insurance that covers Covid.

For more information, check out our post, Traveling to Costa Rica During Covid-19: Entry Requirements, Protocols, and What to Expect.

Citizens and Residents

Covid vaccines are not specifically required for Costa Rican adult citizens or legal residents. However, in September, the government made the vaccine mandatory for all public employees as of October 15, 2021. Private employers may require it as well. 

In addition, the government announced that a vaccine passport would begin on December 1. Currently there is litigation pending against this and the program is voluntary. From December 1-March 7, non-essential businesses like hotels, restaurants, and shops can require people to show proof of vaccination to enter. Our post, Costa Rica’s Vaccine Passport, has more information.

Students

The government has made Covid vaccinations mandatory for all children in Costa Rica (legal residents and citizens). Currently, there is litigation pending about this issue. We will update this post when we have more information. 

Vaccinations are currently underway for children ages 5-17.

Can Tourists Get the Vaccine in Costa Rica?

Previously, only legal residents could get a Covid vaccine in Costa Rica. However, it becoming easier to get a vaccine as a non-resident. We recommend going to the local clinic (EBAIS) in your area with your passport to see if they can help. If you need a booster shot, be sure to bring your foreign vaccination card.

Open Vaccination Clinic Costa Rica
An open vaccination day at an EBAIS on the central Pacific coast

Last Updated: February 11, 2022

Have a question about Covid vaccination rates in Costa Rica? Ask us below.

Looking for more information about traveling to Costa Rica during Covid? Check out these posts.

Costa Rica and the Coronavirus: Get detailed, current info on Costa Rica’s current Covid numbers and restrictions.

Traveling to Costa Rica During Covid-19: Learn about the health pass you’ll need to fill out and details about travel insurance requirements.

Where to Get a Covid-19 Test in Costa Rica: If you need a Covid test to get back home, this post gives the testing sites throughout the country.

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28 Comments

  1. Hello. Thank you for all the excellent information you provide on Costa Rica. We are booked to travel to Costa Rica in February from Canada. We have a mixed dose of vaccine. One Phizer and the second shot is Moderna. Do you know if that is acceptable or if there is a site we can reference to get that information. Thank you

    1. Hi Margo, I think that would be fine since both vaccine types are accepted. They allow Costa Rica citizens and residents who have gotten one type of shot abroad to come back to CR to get a different type (eg, getting Moderna in t
      US then getting Pfizer in CR). If you wanted to make sure, you could email the Tourism Board: info@visitcostarica.com

  2. Hello, I am actually wanting to flee the European Union due to the experimental injection fanatics .. If I move to CR, will my choice be respected?

  3. Planning on traveling to Costa Rica in late November with a 10 year old and 5 year old for a vacation. The US CDC recommendation is to not travel unless required. What is the expected vaccination rate in Costa Rica in the next couple of months and are locals who work in the hospitality industry generally vaccinated? Thanks!

    1. We have not heard any specifics about the future expected vaccination rate, but right now, the rate is increasing steadily. Many people are getting their second shot now. By late November, a good chunk of the population will be fully vaccinated. We have a lot less vaccine hesitancy here so the main thing the Health Ministry is doing now is trying to get those harder to reach populations. In my personal opinion, by late November, I think Costa Rica will be in much better shape. The R value has already dropped significantly in recent weeks and they are attributing this to vaccinations. We’ll keep updating this article with current data so check back soon.

      Yes, almost everyone in the hospitality industry is vaccinated.

  4. Hi My girlfriend is coming to visit me at my home Playa Hermosa. Her first shot was covax and second Phizer. Is Covax acceptable vaccine or will she need to get insurance?

    1. Hi Carolyn, Covax isn’t a specific vaccine but an organization that provides vaccines. As far as we know, so far, Covax has only provided Pfizer and AstraZeneca, both of which are on the approved list in Costa Rica. So she should be all set.

  5. Is it possible to get the Pfizer vaccine if we are foreigners and are not residents? Needing this for a 14 year old and myself (old enough lol) in November. Appreciate your reply and have found your blog very helpful.

    1. Hi Angela, We cover this in our article. Go towards the bottom where we talk about if people on a tourist visa can get vaccinated. Not sure if they are still doing an open clinic but you could check at an EBAIS.

    1. Hi Todd, I think we covered this in the article. Go towards the bottom, there’s a section for tourists. I’m not sure if they are still vaccinating everyone regardless of visa status but you could check at a local clinic. They are not doing appointments.

  6. Jenn I’m coming to costa rica in Jan. Does the 24 hr testing go by hours or by days. I have heard both and was just wandering if you have any insight on the time line

  7. Hey Im planning to travel to CR in january, my departure will be on the 20th so i plan to get my pcr testing on the 18th. However my final destination is Quepos, Manuel Antonio, are there clinics/hospitals that can do pcr testing fr fully vaxxed travellers?

  8. Hallo .
    Ich habe heute gehört das man der dritte , booster, impfung beim einreise nach CR. braucht.
    Richtig;:?Wenn ich von Europa komme.

  9. Hi
    We are planning on visiting Costa Rica end of March. My husband and I are fully vaccinated but my 12 year old isn’t. Will we struggle with hotels/restaurants etc wanting us all to be vaccinated?
    Thanks

  10. Hi, do you know of anyone more recently having success getting a vaccine as a non resident (on tourist visa)? (late Feb 2022)
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Janet, We don’t think Costa Rica is doing second boosters yet. Last we heard they reduced the wait time for second shots and boosters to 4 months since you received the last dose. Haven’t heard anything about second boosters.

  11. Since it turns out that the government mandate was both useless and dangerous based on the fact that the shot not only was ineffective but also deadly, are the people in government who mandated the shots going to prison?

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