What is a yellow fever certificate and when is it required?
In short
- A yellow fever certificate (officially the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, ICVP) proves you have been vaccinated against yellow fever.
- It is required for entry into many African and South American countries, and for travelers arriving from those regions to other destinations.
- The certificate is valid for life and becomes effective 10 days after you receive the vaccine.
What the yellow fever certificate is
The yellow fever certificate is a small yellow booklet issued by certified yellow fever vaccination centers and authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is officially called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), and you may also hear it called the 'yellow card'.
You receive it after a single yellow fever vaccination - and that vaccination is now valid for life under WHO rules.
When you need a yellow fever certificate
- Entering most African countries in the yellow fever zone (Angola, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and many more).
- Entering most tropical South American countries (Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, and parts of Argentina).
- Re-entering some countries (like India, Thailand, or South Africa) if you have recently visited a yellow fever zone.
- Layovers in certain airports (12+ hours) in yellow fever risk countries.
How to get the vaccination and certificate
Yellow fever vaccinations are only available at WHO-approved travel clinics and yellow fever vaccination centers, not at standard pharmacies. The vaccine is a single shot, typically costing USD 100-300.
Get vaccinated at least 10 days before traveling - the certificate is not valid until 10 days after the shot. Some destinations strictly enforce this.
Who should not get the yellow fever vaccine
Some travelers are medically advised against the yellow fever vaccine - pregnant women, infants under 6-9 months, immunocompromised people, and those with severe egg allergies. In these cases, a doctor can issue a medical exemption letter, which most countries accept in place of the certificate.
What is a yellow fever certificate and when is it required - FAQ
Yes. WHO updated the rules in 2016 - a single yellow fever vaccination is now valid for life. Older certificates with 10-year expiry should now be considered permanent.
No. trip1 only handles hotel bookings - vaccination certificates are checked by your destination's immigration officers, not by hotels.
If the country requires one, you may be denied entry, forced to get vaccinated on arrival (some airports have stations), or be quarantined.
Keep the original yellow booklet with your passport. Take photos as a backup, but the physical document is what immigration officers want to see.
Some countries require polio vaccination certificates if you are coming from polio-endemic areas. Routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus) are recommended but not certificate-required.
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