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Yellow fever vaccine

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What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitos, although it can’t be spread directly from person to person. Symptoms of the disease begin with fever, headache, chills and nausea or vomiting, and can progress to jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), liver, kidney, respiratory failure and death. Yellow fever occurs mainly in certain parts of Africa and tropical South America.

Frequently Asked Questions

The yellow fever vaccine can prevent yellow fever. It’s given as a single shot at least 10 days prior to travel. Booster shots are recommended for people who remain at risk.

The yellow fever vaccine is only administered at approved vaccination centers that can provide the traveler with a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). This certificate is valid for 10 years from the 10th day after vaccination and is required to enter certain countries.

• People ages 9+ traveling to countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination
• People ages 9+ traveling to parts of South America and Africa where the risk of yellow fever is known to exist
• Laboratory personnel or anyone who may have been exposed to the yellow fever virus
• Children ages 6 months and under
• Anyone with moderate or severe illness should wait until they recover to be vaccinated
• People with an allergy or hypersensitivity to eggs, chicken and gelatin
• People who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and nursing mothers
• People shouldn’t get this vaccine if they have a weakened immune system for any reason, including:
• HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system
• Taking medications that weaken the immune system
• Treatment with steroids, such as prednisone, for 2 weeks or longer
• People with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment
• People with history of thymus disease, including myasthenia gravis, thymoma or prior removal of thymus gland
• Those who previously had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine
• People who have received another live vaccine within the last 4 weeks

Mild-to-moderate side effects:

• Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
• Fever, headache and muscle aches

Severe side effects, although rare, may include serious allergic reactions. Symptoms include:

• Severe nervous system reactions
• Life-threatening illness with major organ system failure
• Difficulty breathing
• Fast heartbeat

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help ease pain and reduce fever. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any unexpected or worsening reactions after receiving a vaccine.

If you believe you have a medical emergency, please call 911 .

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• Travel vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccine

Peer reviewed by Dr Colin Tidy, MRCGP Last updated by Dr Toni Hazell Last updated 10 Feb 2023

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

In this series: Travel vaccinations Hepatitis A vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine Rabies vaccine Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine Typhoid vaccine

Yellow fever is a serious disease. You should be immunised against yellow fever before you travel to certain countries.

In this article :

What is yellow fever, what country requires the yellow fever vaccine, who should have the yellow fever vaccine, where can i get the yellow fever vaccine, how does the yellow fever vaccine work, when should you get the yellow fever vaccine, what are the side-effects of yellow fever vaccine, who should not receive the yellow fever vaccine.

You may need an International Certificate of Vaccination to prove you have been immunised, as some countries will not allow you entry unless you can produce one. Check with your practice nurse several months before you travel to see if you need the yellow fever vaccine. You will only be able to get it from your GP if they are a designated yellow fever centre - if not then you will have to see a private travel clinic. Since 2020 there have been some shortages of this vaccine, so allow plenty of time before you travel to get it sorted out.

Continue reading below

Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and which infects humans and other primates (for example, monkeys).

For some people it can cause a flu-like illness from which they recover completely. However, for other people it causes symptoms of high temperature (fever), being sick (vomiting), yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice) and bleeding. This is fatal in about 1 in 12 cases. There is no medicine that can destroy the virus, so treatment is to support the person medically whilst they fight the infection themself.

Yellow fever is passed to humans and other primates such as monkeys by mosquitoe bites from a type which tend to bite during daylight hours. (These are different to the type of mosquitoes which carry malaria, which tend to bite from dusk to dawn.)

Yellow fever occurs in certain countries of Africa and South and Central America. In the distant past it has been present in Europe and Asia but these parts of the world are currently free of yellow fever.

Yellow fever is not transmitted directly from person to person; the mosquito is needed to carry the infection from one human to another. Therefore, whilst vaccination offers high protection against yellow fever infection, taking steps to avoid being bitten is also an important part of avoiding the disease.

Travellers over the age of 9 months to countries where yellow fever is a risk. Some countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever before they will let you into the country. Yellow fever is the only disease which routinely requires proof of vaccination:

In some countries, vaccination is compulsory for all incoming visitors.

In some countries, vaccination is compulsory for those who have travelled from a 'yellow fever' area or country.

Your doctor or practice nurse may be able to advise if you should be immunised for your travel destination and whether you need this certificate of vaccination. Not all practices have the resources to do this - if yours doesn't then you'll need to go to a private travel clinic.

Workers who handle material that may be infected by the yellow fever virus - for example, laboratory workers.

People who are resident in areas where yellow fever is present.

The purpose of vaccination for travellers is two-fold:

Firstly it is to protect you from catching yellow fever.

Secondly it is to protect local populations from catching yellow fever from you, leading to an epidemic. Some countries are theoretically in danger of epidemics, as they have the right mosquitoes to transmit the virus, and have the kinds of monkeys who could become infected and act as a store or reservoir for the virus. They therefore require visitors to be immunised.

Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at accredited centres. Many GP practices (but not all) are accredited. If your local GP practice is not accredited you can find a list of the nearest available centres from NaTHNaC (see 'Further Reading and References', below). You will then be issued with a vaccination certificate which gives the date your vaccine will become effective.

The vaccine stimulates your body to make antibodies against the yellow fever virus. These antibodies protect you from illness should you become infected with this virus. The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine which can be given at the same time as other vaccines.

You should have an injection of vaccine at least ten days before the date of travel to countries with yellow fever to allow immunity to develop.

A single dose of vaccine was previously considered to provide immunity for at least 10 years. In 2013 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a single injection can be considered to give lifelong immunity. The International Health Regulations have not yet been altered to reflect this and so the certificate is only valid for 10 years, after which a booster is needed.

Some countries now accept it as being valid for life, so it is important to check the regulations for the countries you are visiting. You can do this on the WHO or National Travel Health Network and Centre (NatHNaC) websites or at your GP surgery.

Severe reactions after receiving the yellow fever vaccine are very rare but mild reactions can last for up to 14 days. Common side-effects of the vaccine may include feeling generally unwell, headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, mild fever or soreness at the injection site. Always contact a doctor if you have any concerns. A more serious, but rare, side-effect is encephalitis or infection in the brain. Most people recover fully from this side-effect which presents between 2 and 56 days after the vaccine with a fever or headache which may progress to confusion and a coma. This serious side-effect is more common in those aged over 60, who should therefore only have the vaccine if there is a serious and unavoidable risk of catching yellow fever.

The yellow fever vaccine is not usually given under the following circumstances, although advice should be taken from your doctor or practice nurse:

If you have reduced immunity (immunosuppression) - for example, people with HIV, people taking high-dose long-term steroids, people receiving chemotherapy, etc.

If you are ill with a fever you should ideally postpone the injection until you are better.

As a rule, pregnant women should not be immunised with this vaccine, although if travel is unavoidable then the woman and her doctor will need to make an assessment of the risks versus the benefits of having the vaccine - a private travel specialist would need to be approached for this, rather than your GP.

This vaccine may be given if you are breastfeeding and cannot avoid being at high risk of catching yellow fever, but expert advice should be sought before doing so.

You should not have the yellow fever vaccine if you have had a severe (anaphylactic) reaction in the past to egg. (This is because the vaccine contains small amounts of egg. A severe reaction to egg is very rare and it does not mean an upset stomach eating eggs or disliking eggs.)

Children under 9 months old should not receive the yellow fever vaccine. (Babies aged 6-9 months may occasionally receive the vaccine if the risk of yellow fever during travel is unavoidable.)

Older travellers (those aged over 60 years) who have not previously been vaccinated against yellow fever are at a higher risk of side-effects with the yellow fever vaccine and should therefore only have it if there is a serious and unavoidable risk of catching yellow fever. .

If you have had a severe reaction to the yellow fever vaccine in the past.

If you have a thymus disorder.

Dr Mary Lowth is an author or the original author of this leaflet.

Further reading and references

• Travel Health Pro ; National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
• Travelling if you have a medical condition ; British Airways (includes downloadable MEDIF forms)
• Immunisation against infectious disease - the Green Book (latest edition) ; UK Health Security Agency.
• Travellers' Health ; US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• MHRA updated guidance on use of yellow fever vaccine in patients with immunosuppression, with thymus dysfunction, and in those aged over 60 ; Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, April 2019

Article History

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

Next review due: 6 Jan 2028

10 feb 2023 | latest version.

Last updated by

Peer reviewed by

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Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is common in parts of Africa and South America. In fact, in Africa about 180,000 people get it every year. Yellow fever is not found in the United States — and thanks to the vaccine, travelers rarely get the disease.

The  yellow fever vaccine  is only recommended for people living in or traveling to places where yellow fever is a risk — or for people who work in labs studying the virus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the yellow fever vaccine important.

Most people who get yellow fever will only get a mild form of the disease. But in some cases, people with yellow fever can develop serious complications — including organ failure or bleeding. Serious cases of yellow fever can be deadly.

If you’re planning to travel to parts of South America or Africa where yellow fever is common, or you work in a lab studying yellow fever, getting vaccinated can protect you.

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is caused by a virus. Most people who get yellow fever recover after mild symptoms, including:

• Fever and chills
• Severe headache
• Upset stomach and throwing up
• Feeling tired and weak

About 15 out of 100 people who get yellow fever go on to develop more serious symptoms:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Bleeding from multiple parts of the body
• Liver, kidney, lung, and other organ failures

Yellow fever does not spread from person to person, like through touching or kissing. The virus that causes yellow fever is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.  Learn more about yellow fever .

Who needs to get the yellow fever vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for people age 9 months and older who are living in or traveling to parts of Africa or South America where there’s a risk of yellow fever. It’s also recommended for people studying yellow fever in labs.

Everyone ages 9 months through 59 years who plans to travel to parts of Africa or South America where yellow fever is a risk needs 1 dose of the yellow fever vaccine. If you plan to continue living in or traveling to that country, it’s possible you’ll need a booster shot every 10 years.

Some countries may require yellow fever vaccination

Some countries may require proof that you’ve been vaccinated against yellow fever. When you get vaccinated, ask for an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, which is proof that you have been vaccinated. The certificate is valid starting 10 days after you get the vaccine.

Learn more about yellow fever vaccination requirements by country .

To find out if the yellow fever vaccine is recommended or required where you’re traveling, visit CDC’s travel website.

Lab workers

Talk with your doctor about how to protect your family from yellow fever.

Who should not get the yellow fever vaccine?

Some people should not get the yellow fever vaccine, including:

• People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the yellow fever vaccine or any of the ingredients in the vaccine (like eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin)
• Infants younger than 6 months
• People with a weakened immune system from ongoing medical conditions — like HIV (with symptoms), a disorder of the thymus (part of the immune system), and B- and T-lymphocyte or phagocytic function deficiencies (problems with special cells in the immune system)
• People who have cancerous tumors
• People who have had an organ or bone marrow transplant in the past 2 years
• People who are getting radiation treatment

Some people may be at increased risk for having a reaction to the yellow fever vaccine — but the benefit of the vaccine may still outweigh the risk. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of getting the yellow fever vaccine if you are:

• Age 60 and older
• Infected with HIV but don’t have symptoms
• Pregnant or breastfeeding

You’ll also need to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination for your child if they're between 6 and 8 months old.

What are the side effects of the yellow fever vaccine?

Side effects are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include:

• Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given
• Muscle aches

Serious side effects from the yellow fever vaccine are very rare.

Like any medicine, there's a very small chance that the yellow fever vaccine could cause a serious reaction.  Learn more about vaccine side effects .

Where can I get more information about the yellow fever vaccine?

Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) have detailed information about recommended vaccines.

• Read the VIS for the yellow fever vaccine .
• Find the VIS for the yellow fever vaccine in other languages .

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected .

Overview - Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It's found in certain areas of Africa and South and Central America. You should have a yellow fever vaccination if you're travelling to an area where there's a risk of getting it.

Check if you're at risk of yellow fever

You can get yellow fever if you're bitten by an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry the yellow fever virus bite during the day.

Yellow fever is very common in certain parts of the world, including:

• parts of sub-Saharan Africa (the area below the Sahara desert)
• parts of South America, including Trinidad and Tobago
• parts of Central America

Yellow fever is not found in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand or the Pacific Islands.

Check before you travel

You can get health advice for a country you're travelling to on the TravelHealthPro website

How to lower your risk of yellow fever

If you're travelling to an area where yellow fever is found, there are some things you can do to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Do wear long-sleeved clothing and trousers to cover your arms and legs, particularly during early morning and early evening use insect repellent on your skin (ideally one that contains the ingredient DEET) close windows and doors whenever possible, or use blinds or screens sleep under a mosquito net treated with insecticide, including during the day Yellow fever vaccination

The yellow fever vaccine is recommended if:

• you're travelling to an area where yellow fever is found
• you need a yellow fever certificate to prove you've been vaccinated

Some people at risk of yellow fever through their work should also get vaccinated.

The yellow fever vaccine is safe for most people who are 9 months old or over.

You have to pay for the yellow fever vaccine for travel, and you can only get it from registered yellow fever vaccination centres.

Find out more about the yellow fever vaccine

Yellow fever vaccination centres

Find your nearest yellow fever vaccination centre on the National Travel Health Network and Centre website

Symptoms of yellow fever

Yellow fever symptoms usually start 3 to 6 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, but sometimes they can take longer to appear.

Some yellow fever symptoms are similar to flu, such as:

• high temperature
• feeling or being sick
• aches and pains
• loss of appetite
• feeling generally unwell

These symptoms often last 3 or 4 days. But a small number of people get more serious symptoms within 24 hours of feeling better.

More serious symptoms include:

• yellowing of your skin and eyes ( jaundice )
• stomach pain
• bleeding from your eyes, nose, mouth or stomach – you may have blood in your vomit or poo

These more serious symptoms can be fatal.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you feel unwell after travelling to a country where yellow fever is found

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Tell anyone you speak to about your recent travel, and if you were bitten by a mosquito or might have been.

If you become unwell while you're abroad, get medical help as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get back to the UK.

Treatment for yellow fever

There's no specific treatment for yellow fever.

Most people make a full recovery after 3 or 4 days.

Things you can do to help ease your symptoms include:

• taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , which can help lower your temperature and relieve muscle pain or backache
• drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration

If you have more serious symptoms of yellow fever, you'll need to go into hospital immediately to be treated.

Page last reviewed: 25 July 2023 Next review due: 25 July 2026

Yellow Fever VIS

Current Edition Date: 4/1/2020

• Print VIS [2 pages]
• RTF file [4 pages] (For use in electronic systems)
• VIS in other languages
• More information about yellow fever vaccination

Yellow Fever Vaccine: What You Need to Know

• Why get vaccinated?
• Yellow fever vaccine
• Talk with your health care provider
• Risks of a vaccine reaction
• What if there is a serious problem?
• How can I learn more?

Yellow fever vaccine can prevent yellow fever . Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. There is no medicine to treat or cure yellow fever.

Yellow fever virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It is found in parts of Africa and South America.

The majority of people with yellow fever virus infections will either not have symptoms, or have mild disease and completely recover. But some people will develop severe disease.

Symptoms and signs of yellow fever include:

• Sudden onset of fever and chills
• Headache, back pain, or general body aches
• Nausea or vomiting

More severe symptoms of yellow fever can include:

• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• Bleeding from multiple body sites
• Shock (life-threatening condition in which the body is not getting enough blood flow)
• Liver, kidney, or other organ failure

Severe yellow fever can cause death in 30% to 60% of affected people.

In addition to getting vaccinated, you can also protect yourself from yellow fever by avoiding mosquito bites:

• Use insect repellent
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Stay in well-screened or air-conditioned areas

Yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine containing weakened, live yellow fever virus. It is given as a single shot. One dose provides lifelong protection for most people.

Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for:

• P eople 9 months through 59 years of age who are traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus activity, or traveling to a country with an entry requirement for vaccination. (People younger than 9 months or older than 59 years who are at increased risk might receive yellow fever vaccine in some situations. Ask your health care provider for more information.)
• Laboratory personnel who might be exposed to yellow fever virus or vaccine virus.

Yellow fever vaccine is given only at designated vaccination centers. After getting the vaccine, you will be given an “International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis” (ICVP, sometimes called the “yellow card”). You will need this card as proof of vaccination to enter certain countries. If you don’t have it, you might be required to get yellow fever vaccine upon entering the country, or be forced to wait for up to 6 days to make sure you are not infected.

Do not donate blood for 14 days after vaccination, because there is a risk of passing vaccine virus to others during that period.

Discuss your itinerary with your health care provider before you get your yellow fever vaccination. You can visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health website at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel  to learn if yellow fever vaccination is recommended or required based on your travel location.

Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the vaccine:

• Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine, or has any severe, life-threatening allergies .
• Has a weakened immune system.
• Has had their thymus removed or been diagnosed with a thymus disorder .
• Is pregnant or
• Has gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks .

People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting yellow fever vaccine.

In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone yellow fever vaccination to a future visit.

If you cannot get yellow fever vaccine for medical reasons and you are traveling to a country with a yellow fever vaccination entry requirement, your doctor will need to fill out the Medical Contraindications to Vaccination section of your yellow card. In addition, your doctor should give you a waiver letter. If you plan to use a waiver, you can contact the embassies of countries you plan to visit for more information.

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given are common after yellow fever vaccine.
• Fever sometimes happens.
• Headache and muscle aches can occur.
• Nervous system reactions such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and/or spinal cord covering (meningitis), or Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), among others.
• Life-threatening severe illness with organ dysfunction or failure.

People 60 years and older and people with weakened immune systems might be more likely to experience serious reactions to yellow fever vaccine.

People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.

As with any medicine, there is a remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.

An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital.

For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.

Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website  or call 1-800-822-7967 .  VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not give medical advice.

• Ask your health care provider.
• Call your local or state health department .
• Call 1-800-232-4636 ( 1-800-CDC-INFO ) or
• Visit CDC’s Yellow Fever website

Many vaccine information statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis

Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis

Vaccine Information Statement Yellow Fever Vaccine (4/1/20)

Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Office Use Only

• Vaccines & Immunizations
• Immunization Schedules

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

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Become a Certified Yellow Fever Vaccination Center

Some countries require specific travel immunizations such as Yellow Fever for out-of-country visitors. Information regarding this can be found on the CDC Yellow Fever website Yellow Fever Maps . Additionally, travel health notices are posted to the CDC Travelers’ Health website at Travelers' Health | CDC .

The Washington State Department of Health Office of Immunization processes requests for Yellow Fever vaccine certification and stamp approval. Yellow fever vaccine can only be ordered by and administered at approved Yellow Fever vaccination facilities.

Yellow Fever Vaccine Provider Certification and Stamp Approval Process

If you wish to order and administer the Yellow Fever vaccine, follow the process below to become a certified provider.

• Complete the online CDC Webinar “Yellow Fever Vaccine: Information for Health Care Professionals Advising Travelers”. Yellow Fever Vaccine Course | Travelers' Health | CDC
• Complete the Yellow Fever Vaccine Provider Application and email it to: [email protected] .
• If you are a licensed pharmacist, please also submit a copy of your facility’s current Collaborative Drug Therapy Agreement (CDTA) that lists out travel vaccines and/or yellow fever specifically. A CDTA is good for 2 years from signing.
• After your request is approved, a Yellow Fever vaccine certificate letter of approval with instructions on how to order the official stamp will be sent to you.  The vaccine manufacturer will be copied on the approval email as well, letting them know you are approved and certified to order and administer the Yellow Fever vaccine.
• Finally, your provider and facility information will be added to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Yellow Fever National Registry .

Yellow Fever Stamps need to be renewed every 3 years.  To recertify, please complete the certification steps outlined here.

For any change of address, such as moving to a new facility location, please complete a new application. If, after approval, you would like to add additional locations, please complete a new application indicating this.

Please send any questions to: [email protected]

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Yellow fever entry requirements

I I f you are an inbound traveller – here's all you need to know about yellow fever vaccination or inoculation before you visit our country.

South Africa requires all travellers journeying from yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate. This also applies to those who have transited through a yellow fever risk country.

The certificates, which are valid for 10 years, must be approved by the World Health Organization, and should be administered at a yellow fever approved vaccination centre at least 10 days before departure to South Africa, as the vaccine only offers protection 10 days after administration.

Failure to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at a South African port of entry could lead to refusal of entry, or quarantine until your certificate becomes valid. Quarantine will not be longer than six days. If you have exemption certificate due to medical reasons, you will be allowed entry, but you will be required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities, and you will be placed under surveillance. Countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa are:

• Burkina Faso,
• Central African Republic,
• Guinea-Bissau,
• Côte d’Ivoire,
• Democratic Republic of the Congo,
• Equatorial Guinea,
• French Guyana,
• Mauritania,
• Sierra Leone, 
• Trinidad and Tobago,
• Uganda, and 

Do I need a yellow fever inoculation before entering South Africa?

If you're coming into South Africa from an infected area, a yellow fever inoculation and certificate is an official requirement.

Do I need to take malaria precautions for South Africa?

Most parts of South Africa are malaria-free. Consult your doctor or travel clinic regarding appropriate malaria prophylaxis. You can further minimise the risk by wearing mosquito repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net.  

What entry documents do I need?

You need a valid passport to enter the country. Some visitors require a visa and/or a yellow fever certificate. A yellow fever inoculation is required for those who pass through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

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Travellers Going to Yellow Fever Areas

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For Travellers

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Yellow fever is a disease that is present in many areas of South America and Africa, and is caused by a virus that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Yellow fever can be prevented by a vaccine.

• Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their individual protection.
• Requirements are put in place by certain countries to protect both individual travellers and countries from the risk of importing or spreading the yellow fever virus.
• If these requirements apply, you will need an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis as proof of vaccination.
• A list of yellow fever country entry requirements for yellow fever vaccination is available from the World Health Organization.
• It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify additional entry requirements.
• If you do not show a valid certificate at the country border when requested, you may not be allowed to enter, you may be quarantined for up to 6 days or put under medical surveillance, or you may be required to be vaccinated at point of entry.

Not all countries where yellow fever exists require proof of vaccination, but you may still be at risk of getting the disease. It is recommended that travel plans include consulting a travel health clinic, Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, or other health care professional at least 6 weeks before departure for an individual assessment to determine the need for immunizations and/or preventive medication, and to get advice on precautions to reduce health risks.

Click here to find a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre near you.

It is recommended that travel plans include consulting a travel health clinic, Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, or other health care professional at least 6 weeks before departure for an individual assessment to determine the need for immunizations and/or preventive medication, and to get advice on precautions to reduce health risks.

When you visit a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, a health care professional should :

• Assess whether the vaccine is required for your itinerary;
• Assess whether the vaccine is recommended, if it is not required;
• Administer the vaccine if indicated;
• Provide you with additional advice on how to protect yourself against yellow fever;
• Provide you with written proof of yellow fever vaccination on the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis;  
• If required, may provide you with written documentation explaining why you cannot receive the yellow fever vaccine for medical reasons.

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is the official document to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

The health care professional who gives you the vaccine must provide you with a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis .

• The certificate becomes valid  10 days after the vaccine is received.
• The certificate is valid for the life of the person vaccinated.
• An International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis issued prior to 2016 will indicate a validity period of 10 years.
• A single dose of yellow fever vaccine is now considered protective for life.
• Lifetime validity applies to new certificates and certificates issued prior to 2016.
• Individuals with a certificate issued prior to 2016 should continue to use their existing certificate.
• Do not try to change a certificate. Any changes made to an existing certificate may invalidate it.
• Travellers with certificates indicating a validity of 10 years may want to carry a copy of the World Health Organization’s Amendment to International Health Regulations (2005), Annex 7 (yellow fever) , which announces lifelong validity of the vaccine in case of difficulties at an international border.
• Individuals immunized during a period of reduced immunocompetence
• Individuals who underwent a stem cell transplant after their last vaccination
• Individuals who received a dose insufficient for long term protection
• Individuals at a particularly high risk of exposure
• Laboratory personnel working with yellow fever virus

Each designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre has been given stamps with a unique identification number by the Public Health Agency of Canada. This number contains the province code and a unique four-digit number. Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres must use this stamp on the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis in the column marked “Official stamp of the administering centre”.

If your certificate was issued in Canada prior to 2012 and bears a Public Health Agency of Canada stamp, it will remain valid until it expires.

If you cannot receive the vaccine for medical reasons, but you are travelling to a country that requires proof of vaccination, the health care professional may provide you with written documentation explaining their medical opinion.

This can be done on official letterhead from the health care site, or using the Certificate of Medical Contraindication to Vaccination , which is provided to all designated sites by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

This document is valid for the duration of your trip.

If you have lost your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis , contact the Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre where you received the vaccine. They will be able to provide you with a new certificate.

It is strongly recommended that you keep your certificate in a safe place.

• If you have lost your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis , but the Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre where you received the vaccine no longer exists, contact another Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre.
• The health care professional may choose to reissue a certificate if they feel that you have acceptable proof of prior vaccination.
• If you do not have acceptable proof of vaccination, you will need to be revaccinated in order to receive a new certificate.
• To avoid unnecessary revaccination, it is strongly recommended that you keep your certificate in a safe place.

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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Yellow fever fact sheet

This fact sheet is for travellers to Africa, the Caribbean, and Central or South America. It includes information about yellow fever, vaccination requirements, biosecurity border measures and the yellow fever vaccination certificate.

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Yellow Fever Vaccine: Information for Health Care Professionals Advising Travelers

Course description, learning objectives, take the course.

The goal of this course is to provide physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, nurses, and health education specialists with information about yellow fever: the virus, the disease, and the vaccine. Healthcare professionals can use this information to:

• Make appropriate decisions regarding administering the yellow fever vaccine
• Handle the vaccine safely
• Offer sound advice to travelers before they travel to countries where yellow fever is endemic or where outbreaks are occurring
• Conduct appropriate pre-travel consulations
• Use best practices within yellow fever vaccination clinics
• Comply with International Health Regulations and International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) requirements for yellow fever vaccines

The training,  Yellow Fever Vaccine: Information for Health Care Professionals Advising Travelers,  provides a comprehensive history and epidemiology of yellow fever, including:

• Vaccine recommendations
• The pre-travel consultation for yellow fever
• Information on how to become a designated yellow fever vaccination professional

No prior knowledge of the yellow fever virus or vaccine is needed to take this training. However, it is advised that those taking the course also review the Yellow Fever Vaccine & Malaria Prevention Information, by Country , and Yellow Fever chapters in the CDC Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel . It is also strongly recommended that the modules be taken in sequence.

This course is intended for healthcare professionals who advise travelers and/or would like to become designated providers of yellow fever vaccine. These may include:

• registered nurses
• pharmacists
• physician assistants
• nurse practitioners
• health educators
• medical students
• medical assistants
• licensed practical nurses
• epidemiologists
• pharmacy technicians

The course consists of two modules. 

Module 1, Yellow Fever: History, Epidemiology, and Vaccine Information , provides a history of yellow fever, critical information needed to understand the epidemiology of yellow fever disease, as well as important facts about the vaccine. This module includes nine Knowledge Check questions and, at the end, two Test Your Knowledge case examples to help reinforce understanding of the material.

Module 2, The Pre-travel Consultation and Best Practices for Yellow Fever Vaccine Providers and Clinics , provides pretravel consultation advice for health care professionals regarding yellow fever vaccination, as well as recommendations for best practices for yellow fever vaccination clinics. This module includes ten Knowledge Check questions to help reinforce understanding of the material.

After completing this web-based course, the learner should be able to:

• Identify how the yellow fever virus is transmitted and its three transmission cycles.
• Identify precautions and contraindications to consider for administering the yellow fever vaccine.
• Describe the information needed to conduct a pre-travel consultation with regard to yellow fever vaccination.
• Identify the process for becoming and maintaining designated yellow fever provider status.
• Describe how to locate country-specific entry requirements for yellow fever vaccination.

The course is available on CDC TRAIN  and consists of two modules. It can be taken at any time. Please read the instructions in CDC TRAIN for completing each of the two modules, the posttest, evaluation and printing a certificate of completion.

To take the course:

• Select the Register button. You will be prompted to log in or create an account on CDC TRAIN.
• In the Content tab select the modules to register and view the course.
• Once completed, select the Mark Complete button for the lessons and also then for the overall course.

As of 9/7/2023, continuing education credits are no longer offered for this course. 

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