Nov 6, 2015, 7:02 pm
Last edit by: Ocn Vw 1K
Yellow Fever Vaccination for South America or Africa
Please edit this wikipost as necessary
Please edit this wikipost as necessary
Some countries or areas may require proof of vaccination - alternately, a certificate from a physician stating YFV is contraindicated for a patient - to enter YF areas, or in cases where travelers have visited Yellow Fever areas, generally in Africa or South America. "Travelers who arrive in a country with a yellow fever vaccination entry requirement without proof of yellow fever vaccination may be quarantined for up to 6 days, refused entry, or vaccinated on site." ((USCDC)
The US Center's for Disease Control and Prevention (Nov 2015):
Yellow fever vaccine is a live-virus vaccine which has been used for several decades. A single dose protects against disease for 10 years or more. If a person is at continued risk of infection, a booster dose is recommended every 10 years. See this page for caveats, etc.
As well, note:
Vaccine Administration
For all eligible people, a single injection of reconstituted vaccine should be administered subcutaneously. Revaccination has been required by certain countries at 10-year intervals to comply with International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Note: In February 2015, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved a new recommendation that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and is adequate for most travelers. The updated recommendations also identify specific groups of travelers who should receive additional doses and others for whom additional doses may be considered. The official ACIP recommendations were published on June 19, 2015 (see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6423a5.htm). All current ACIP yellow fever vaccine recommendations can be found on the ACIP website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html.
Although ACIP no longer recommends booster doses of yellow fever vaccine for most travelers, clinicians and travelers should review the entry requirements for destination countries because changes to the International Health Regulations (IHR) have not yet been fully implemented. In 2014, the World Health Organization adopted the recommendation to remove the 10-year booster dose requirement from the IHR as of June 2016. Once this change is instituted, a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis will be valid for the lifetime of the vaccinee. Some countries have already adopted this change, which is noted under the yellow fever vaccine requirements on each country’s destination page. However, it is uncertain when and if all countries with yellow fever vaccination requirements will adopt this change. (Updated August 26, 2015)
As well, note:
Vaccine Administration
For all eligible people, a single injection of reconstituted vaccine should be administered subcutaneously. Revaccination has been required by certain countries at 10-year intervals to comply with International Health Regulations (IHR) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Note: In February 2015, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved a new recommendation that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and is adequate for most travelers. The updated recommendations also identify specific groups of travelers who should receive additional doses and others for whom additional doses may be considered. The official ACIP recommendations were published on June 19, 2015 (see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6423a5.htm). All current ACIP yellow fever vaccine recommendations can be found on the ACIP website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/index.html.
Although ACIP no longer recommends booster doses of yellow fever vaccine for most travelers, clinicians and travelers should review the entry requirements for destination countries because changes to the International Health Regulations (IHR) have not yet been fully implemented. In 2014, the World Health Organization adopted the recommendation to remove the 10-year booster dose requirement from the IHR as of June 2016. Once this change is instituted, a completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis will be valid for the lifetime of the vaccinee. Some countries have already adopted this change, which is noted under the yellow fever vaccine requirements on each country’s destination page. However, it is uncertain when and if all countries with yellow fever vaccination requirements will adopt this change. (Updated August 26, 2015)
The proof of vaccine must generally be from an authorized vaccination center, and is generally in the form of a "international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis" standard proof of vaccination.
ICVP Form
Also see the Australia Department of Health page here
Also see the Canada Government page here
Also see the UK NHS "fitfortravel" page here
Updated 6 November 2015
Yellow Fever Vaccination - Requirements for Africa
Jan 9, 2016, 9:22 pm
#167
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,640
In all of my border crossings where they check the Yellow Fever card, I've only once noticed that they were checking dates (Kenya @ NBO). As always, your mileage may vary, but there's a good chance that if you have the card and it's not officially effective yet then you'll be allowed to pass. Having said that, there's always the small chance that they'll put you back on the plane to where you just came from but it's not the outcome I'd expect.
Jan 9, 2016, 11:15 pm
#168
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Also, is it not possible to get the issuer to correct their mistake?
Jan 14, 2016, 7:10 am
#169
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: EBB/KLA
Programs: AC*SE, IHG Platinum, Hyatt, SPG, FlyingBlueS
Posts: 100
It has been a while since I flew ADD to JNB, but I do not remember anyone checking my Yellow Fever card in ADD, but then again, I was in transit. I would say the health inspection in JNB are the ones who really make a fuss, but they do this for a few flights from "high risk" areas, and I am not sure Ethiopia is considered one of those. More often than not checking in JNB is based on where you travels originated, so if you were from outside Africa, they will lily not ask for it. Sorry, there is no straight answer to your question, but as others have posted, they may only be interested in the page having a vaccination stamp, and not really the date. All the best, and do keep us posted.
Jan 14, 2016, 2:11 pm
#170
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 306
Yellow Fever Vaccination - Requirements for Africa (consolidated)
The people who will really make a fuss are the airlines. Just like with the two full pages in passport entry requirement, the yellow fever requirement from certain countries is the same. that while SA front line immigration doesn't care about either requirement, the airline is not going to take any chances in getting a fine from SA. I have seen people get denied boarding for both reasons by SAA, ET and other check in agents in various airports.
Jan 14, 2016, 2:18 pm
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
The people who will really make a fuss are the airlines. Just like with the two full pages in passport entry requirement, the yellow fever requirement from certain countries is the same. that while SA front line immigration doesn't care about either requirement, the airline is not going to take any chances in getting a fine from SA. I have seen people get denied boarding for both reasons by SAA, ET and other check in agents in various airports.
Jan 14, 2016, 6:08 pm
#172
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 306
Yellow Fever Vaccination - Requirements for Africa (consolidated)
I have personally seen it happen at YYZ (ET) and GRU (SA), and how do you know they do not fine the airline? Having had to respond, as an airline rep, to these fines I don't know how a passenger would ever find out if the airline had been fined. It is not as if the fine can be kicked back to the pax it is the airlines fault for letting the pax travel.
Jan 14, 2016, 6:55 pm
#173
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
I have personally seen it happen at YYZ (ET) and GRU (SA), and how do you know they do not fine the airline? Having had to respond, as an airline rep, to these fines I don't know how a passenger would ever find out if the airline had been fined. It is not as if the fine can be kicked back to the pax it is the airlines fault for letting the pax travel.
Jan 15, 2016, 7:45 pm
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,023
I had a YF vaccination 4 years ago but last year I lost my vaccination card. I contacted the hospital where I received the vaccination and they can fax me a record of the vaccination. Is that sufficient proof or do I need a vaccination card?
Jan 16, 2016, 7:14 am
#175
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Given the fastidious nature of certain government workers, I would say no. It might not be sufficient.
Feb 10, 2016, 10:37 am
#176
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA, onePass
Posts: 317
I've read just about everything I could but am still confused....
Traveled to Quito, Ecuador and Galapagos only last year from and to the US.
From what I have read YFV was/is not recommended for travel to those specific areas. We did not get YFV.
Next year looking to travel to South Africa. Will this be a problem on entry at JNB from US if we have Ecuador stamp from last year in our US passport. We will not be arriving from a YF areas do since we did not need YFV for Ecuador we not have certificate.
Thank you all for your patience and wisdom
Traveled to Quito, Ecuador and Galapagos only last year from and to the US.
From what I have read YFV was/is not recommended for travel to those specific areas. We did not get YFV.
Next year looking to travel to South Africa. Will this be a problem on entry at JNB from US if we have Ecuador stamp from last year in our US passport. We will not be arriving from a YF areas do since we did not need YFV for Ecuador we not have certificate.
Thank you all for your patience and wisdom
Mar 13, 2016, 3:36 am
#177
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: usually somewhere between 30000 and 40000 feet...but actually the English countryside
Programs: BA GGL/Lifetime Gold, EK Gold, Lowly M&M, Marriott tit, Hhonors Diamond, numerous others
Posts: 1,156
In my experience and that of many colleagues who travel regularly between NBO and JNB, I don't think this is true. I don't believe it is the airlines responsibility to check and the airlines never ever ask for the YF card IME. But the JNB immigration officials sometimes do. And if you do not have the card, they do not fine the airline. They simply require you to get a shot there at the airport which could take a fair amount of your time and maybe some money.
Whatever you do, don't get the jab in Angola...
Mar 16, 2016, 9:43 pm
#178
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
bump
Argentina (and Ecuador) are WHO-designated yellow fever zones subject to yellow fever vaccination card requirements for SA and Namibia. The rules on both embassy's website talk about "traveling from a WHO-designated yellow fever country."
So our question is: Do the intervening months in the USA mean we are no longer "traveling from"?
Mar 16, 2016, 9:47 pm
#179
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: IC.Spire Amb. Turkish Elite
Posts: 222
Some airport officials e.g.KIA(Accra) will also look for the manufacturer and batch no.of vaccine or prophylaxis on the card. So avoid "buying" yellow fever certificates from "helpers" at MMA in Lagos otherwise you will get the jab before entry into Ghana.