According to WHO, a yellow fever card is a medical passport issued to travelers entering locations with the risks of yellow fever. It is also known as the international certificate of Vaccination.
The yellow fever card is often issued 10 days after the vaccination is received, and its immunity is valid for a lifetime. But you must be of 9 months and above. The yellow fever vaccination is one of the safest ways to prevent the virus called Yellow fever, which I will be discussing further. A single intake of the yellow fever vaccine can guarantee life-long sustained immunity against the yellow fever virus.
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of this disease range from fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. It is difficult to diagnose this disease during the incubation phase which usually happens between 3-6 days. Many times, it is mistaken for malaria. But when the virus advances to 7-10 days, it might result in death.
Countries that require a yellow fever certification
These countries require that you have a yellow fever card before gaining access to their country. They include:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brunei and Darussalam
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lao People’s democratic republic
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Martinique (France)
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mayotte (France)
- Mexico
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St Ecstasies, St Martin)
- New Caledonia and dependencies
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Nue
- Norfolk Island
- North Korea
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Pitcairn
- Reunion (France)
- Rwanda
- Saint Barthelme
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kits and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tokelau
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Vietnam
- Wallis and Futuna
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Why do you need a yellow fever card?
You need a yellow fever card to prove you received a Yellow Fever vaccination. You could be denied boarding a flight to countries with the risks of a yellow fever virus.
Who should get the yellow fever vaccine?
Anyone above the age of 9 months can get the yellow fever vaccination. However, they are exceptions. These exceptions include:
- Pregnant and nursing mothers.
- Individuals with egg protein allergy.
- Individuals with immunodeficiency or those with thymus disorder.
Nevertheless, you could obtain an exemption stamp on your yellow fever card to access endemic locations.
When does a yellow fever certification become valid?
A yellow fever card becomes valid 10 days after you have received the yellow fever vaccine. Then you will be eligible to obtain a yellow fever card.
Are there penalties for not having a yellow fever certification?
Different countries have varying penalties for travelers who do not have a yellow fever vaccination card. Mild penalties may include quarantine for a certain period, while more severe ones can result in deportation.
In India, individuals who arrive by air or sea and do not have a yellow fever vaccination card may be detained in isolation for up to 6 days due to the following criteria:
- They arrived from an area with a risk of yellow fever virus.
- They have been in such an area during transit.
- They arrived on a ship that either started from or touched any port area with a risk of yellow fever transmission up to 30 days before arrival in India.
Will I need to replace my yellow card after 10 years?
You may need to obtain a new yellow card in 10 years. Although the yellow fever vaccination guarantees life-long immunity against yellow fever as stated by WHO. But some countries may require a new yellow card after 10 years before you are allowed into their country. Ensure you verify from a travel health expert to stay updated on varying rules that guide these countries.
If you are still in doubt about ways to get a yellow card as a Nigerian or a visitor to Nigeria, do well to read our blog on The New E-Yellow card obtainable at #2000. For more details on travel guides and exclusive content, ensure you stay glued to our page.