Yellow Fever Vaccine

Yellow fever vaccination is available at our accredited travel clinic in Ovens for anyone travelling to parts of Africa and South America. Some countries require it as a legal condition of entry, and we issue the official international certificate at your appointment.

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a serious viral infection spread by infected mosquitoes. It occurs in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South America. Illness ranges from a mild flu-like infection to severe disease with jaundice, bleeding, organ failure and death. There is no specific treatment, so prevention is essential.

Why is vaccination important for travellers?

Vaccination is recommended for travellers who:

• Visit countries where yellow fever is present
• Transit through certain endemic regions
• Are required to show proof of vaccination for entry

Some countries enforce vaccination as a legal entry requirement, even where the individual risk of infection is low.

The yellow fever certificate (“yellow fever passport”)

Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at an accredited centre. As an authorised Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre we can administer the vaccine and issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).

• Your vaccination is recorded in the ICVP
• The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination
• A single dose is now considered valid for life for most travellers
• Carry the certificate when travelling — it may be checked at borders

How effective is the vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine is highly effective: over 99% of people develop immunity after one dose, and protection is long-lasting and usually lifelong.

Who can have the vaccine?

• Generally given from 9 months of age
• No absolute upper age limit, but travellers aged 60 and over need an individual risk assessment because of a higher risk of rare side effects

Who should not have it?

Because this is a live vaccine, it is not suitable for everyone. It is usually avoided in:

• Infants under 9 months
• People with severe egg allergy
• People with weakened immune systems
• People with a history of thymus disorders
• Pregnancy — unless travel is unavoidable and the risk is high

Side effects

Most people have no side effects, or only mild ones:

• Soreness at the injection site
• Mild headache, muscle aches or low-grade fever

Serious side effects are rare and are carefully assessed before vaccination.

Mosquito bite precautions still matter

Vaccination does not replace bite prevention. Even when vaccinated, continue to:

• Use insect repellent containing DEET
• Wear long sleeves and trousers
• Sleep in air-conditioned or screened accommodation
• Use mosquito nets where appropriate

Key points

• Yellow fever is a potentially life-threatening disease
• Vaccination is often mandatory for travel
• The vaccine can only be given at an accredited centre
• A valid yellow fever passport is essential for many destinations
• One dose usually gives lifelong protection
• Mosquito bite prevention remains important

Further reading (TravelHealthPro)

TravelHealthPro is the UK’s official travel health website, run by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) for the UK Health Security Agency. It is the source we use for vaccine and malaria recommendations.

• Yellow fever factsheet
• Yellow fever vaccine recommendation maps
• Insect and tick bite avoidance factsheet
• Country information — vaccine and malaria recommendations for every destination
• All TravelHealthPro factsheets

See also: Travel Clinic · Vaccinations · Fees