Summarised table of prophylactic measures (these recommandations are only valid for November 2007)
 
Disease Vaccination or prophylaxis Commentary
Recommended for everybody Risk groups
Diphtheria    
Tetanus    
Yellow Fever1   Vaccination required for people traveling from the endemic zones and over 9 months of age; CDC recommends vaccination for all travelers over 9 months of age entering the endemic zone in Brazil (including Iguaçu Falls)
Hepatitis A    
Hepatitis B High risk in Amazon basin, moderate risk in the rest of the country
Poliomyelitis   Only basic vaccination recommended
Typhoid Fever   Recommended in particular for travel to smaller cities, villages and rural areas outside usual tourist routes
Measles   Not necessary for Americans born before 1957 or those who have had measles or who have received 2 live-virus vaccinations
Rabies   - For travelers planning prolonged or remote stays or extensive outdoor or night time exposure in rural areas
- Canine rabies highly endemic
Malaria2   Chemoprophylaxis recommended for travel in risk zones such as Amazon basin


1Even though there is no yellow fever in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the big coastal cities, vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for this trip, in particular for the visit to the Iguaçu waterfalls and the Amazon region, which will last a few days.

2Chemoprophylaxis against malaria is recommended, along with daytime protection against mosquitoes (dengue fever) and night time protection (malaria). In cases where chemoprophylaxis against malaria is not possible, it is recommended to include items for potential self-treatment in the Travel Medicine Kit.