If you are you planning for a vacation getaway or that important business trip abroad, the International Health Regulations require that you be vaccinated with a Yellow Fever vaccine to prevent possible infection.
This article contains information on yellow fever requirements, how to get a certificate, the clinics to visit, how much it costs and its side effects.
What is Yellow Fever Vaccine?
Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by a virus that is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for people who plan to live in or travel to areas where yellow fever is known to exist, or those who are otherwise at high risk of coming into contact with the virus.
This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle.
After receiving the vaccine, you will be given an International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card) from the clinic where you receive your Yellow Fever vaccine.
The purpose of carrying out Yellow Fever Vaccine
Yellow fever vaccination is carried out for two different purposes:
1. To prevent the international spread of the disease by protecting countries from the risk of importing or spreading the yellow fever virus.
Proof of vaccination is often required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and sometimes for travellers in transit through such countries.
Any importation of the virus into such countries by infected travellers could result in its propagation and establishment, leading to a permanent risk of infection for the human population.
2. To protect individual travellers who may be at high risk of coming into contact with the virus.
The risk of yellow fever transmission depends on the presence of the virus in the country in humans, mosquitoes or animals.
As yellow fever is frequently fatal for those who have not been vaccinated, vaccination is recommended for all travellers visiting areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Note:
These are requirements established by the country and are subject to change at any time.
The fact that a country has no requirement for yellow fever vaccination does not imply that there is no risk of yellow fever transmission.
WHO determines those areas where “a risk of yellow fever transmission is present” on the basis of the diagnosis of cases of yellow fever in humans and/or animals, the results of yellow fever sero-surveys and the presence of vectors and animal reservoirs.
Validity of certificate
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is valid only if it conforms to the model.
It is valid only after ten (10) days of the vaccination.
The vaccine has lifetime validity. However, some countries may require to renew your vaccination before entry.