The yellow fever vaccine is only recommended for people who live or travel to places where yellow fever poses a risk – or for people who work in laboratories studying the virus. Countries and territories at risk of yellow fever virus transmission include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d`Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad only) and Venezuela. Note: When a case of yellow fever is reported in a country, that country is considered by the Government of India as a country at risk of yellow fever virus transmission and is listed above. Many cities in affected areas regularly fog up to kill or repel mosquitoes, but these efforts do not offer complete protection. Health agencies recommend vaccination against yellow fever in areas where the virus may be present. But is it recommended to get vaccinated against yellow fever even if your destination does not require vaccination? Revaccination against yellow fever was previously required by some countries at 10-year intervals in order to comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR). In 2014, the World Health Assembly (WHO) adopted the recommendation to amend the IHR by removing the 10-year booster dose requirement and setting a 2-year transition period for this change. Therefore, as of 11 July 2016, a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is valid for the life of the vaccinated person.

In addition, countries cannot require proof of revaccination (booster vaccination) against yellow fever as a condition of entry, even if the last vaccination was >10 years ago. People under nine months of age or over 60 years of age may need to see a primary care physician before receiving yellow fever vaccine. Other people who may need to consult a PCP before vaccination include: 5. What if I am not medically eligible for a yellow fever vaccine, but the country needs a yellow fever vaccine? Other countries have yellow fever vaccination requirements, depending on the country you are travelling from or have recently travelled. WHO provides a complete list of countries and territories that require yellow fever vaccination, depending on where the person is from. Aedes mosquitoes are found all over the world and carry most mosquito-borne infections, not just yellow fever. The two most common subspecies of Aedes cause yellow fever, dengue fever and Zika virus, among others. The likelihood of some serious side effects is higher in adults >60 years of age. Even though the risks of the vaccine are quite low, we still want to ask ourselves whether or not they are offset by the risk of developing the disease.

Please read the CDC Yellow Fever Vaccine Information Statement. More than 40 countries have at least some risk of yellow fever transmission, including popular destinations such as Peru, Brazil and Nigeria. See below for more information: The yellow fever vaccine is an injectable vaccine that prevents yellow fever. The vaccine is recommended for many countries in Africa and South America, it is required for entry into some countries. If a certificate is not required to enter a country, it does not necessarily mean that there is no risk of disease, and yellow fever vaccine may still be recommended. Further information can be found on the respective country pages. Health authorities recommend the use of mosquito repellents such as repellents and mosquito nets, as well as vaccination to prevent yellow fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. It is recommended to take personal protective measures to reduce mosquito bites when visiting areas where yellow fever is present. The mosquito, which spreads yellow fever bites, bites mainly during the day, so wearing appropriate clothing and using insect repellent will help you avoid mosquito bites. Severe cases include very high fever, jaundice (yellow skin), bleeding, shock and organ failure. If you develop any of these symptoms in an area where yellow fever is rife, seek immediate medical attention.

Some people may be at higher risk of responding to the yellow fever vaccine – but the benefits of the vaccine may still outweigh the risk. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of yellow fever vaccine if you: A single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection against the virus. Although lifelong vaccination is recognized by the World Health Organization, some countries still require proof of vaccination in the last decade to enter. Before travelling, check with your Passport Health travel specialist to see if a second yellow fever vaccine is required for your trip. Serious side effects of yellow fever vaccine are very rare. If you plan to travel to areas of South America or Africa where yellow fever is prevalent, or if you work in a laboratory that studies yellow fever, vaccination can protect you. Yellow fever 1 The official WHO list of countries at risk of yellow fever virus transmission is provided in Table 4-23. Proof of yellow fever vaccination should only be required if you are travelling from a WHO listed country, unless otherwise specified. The following countries, which contain only areas with low potential for exposure to yellow fever virus, are not on the WHO list: Eritrea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia.

2 An elevation of 2,300 m is equivalent to 7,546 ft. If you are not medically eligible, but need to travel to an area that requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, we can prepare a medical exemption. Most countries accept a medical exemption from a certified yellow fever vaccinator, such as TIAC, for people who have a medical reason for not receiving the vaccine. It is recommended to check with the relevant embassy or consulate prior to departure. If you are travelling to an area where yellow fever vaccination is recommended or required and you are unable to be vaccinated, your doctor and a Passport health care professional may complete a medical contraindication portion of your “yellow card” and a waiver. Individuals with an exemption should contact the embassy of the country they will be visiting to ensure they have everything they need to enter the country with an exemption. About 15 out of 100 people who get yellow fever develop more severe symptoms: Do you need a yellow fever vaccine? Make an appointment with your local Passport Health department by calling or making an appointment online now. Yellow fever is common in parts of Africa and South America. In fact, about 180,000 people get it in Africa every year. Yellow fever is not present in the U.S.

— and thanks to the vaccine, travelers rarely contract the disease. In the United States, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued a new recommendation in 2015 that 1 dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and is suitable for most travellers. The recommendation also identifies specific groups of travellers who should receive additional doses and others for whom additional doses may be considered. For more information, see Chapter 4, Yellow Fever. The most up-to-date information on yellow fever vaccine boosters is available on the CDC Travelers` Health website or in the specific publication on the ACIP website (www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6423.pdf). Yellow fever is only present in parts of Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa. Map 2-1. Yellow fever vaccine recommendations in Argentina The Haemagogus mosquito is common in Central and South America.