Yellow Fever

Only approved yellow fever vaccination centres can provide this vaccine. Staff at these centres have undertaken the required training to provide advice on whether the vaccination is necessary and to administer the vaccine. These approved centres can provide the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (IVCP) certificate and must make sure it conforms with the guidelines outlined in the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR).

For travellers in South Australia, you can complete your vaccination at our Adelaide Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinic partner (InHealth North Adelaide), an approved centre authorised to administer the vaccine and issue the official ICVP certificate.

The purpose of these regulations is to help prevent the spread of infectious disease from one country to another. Australia is a signatory to these regulations and must make sure that providers of the yellow fever vaccine and travellers follow the guidelines.

A vaccine summary showing yellow fever vaccination is NOT acceptable. The traveller can be denied onward travel on a flight or entry into a country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides a list of countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and those countries requiring yellow fever vaccination. The last update was published in November 2022.

Many countries have mandatory requirements for yellow fever vaccination. Australia requires all travellers arriving in (or returning) to Australia to have an ICVP certificate if they have been in a declared yellow fever infected country in the previous 6 days.

Several countries require an ICVP certificate from all travellers (see WHO above). The traveller can be coming from a non-infected country like Australia, but they must still provide an ICVP.

Approved yellow fever providers can provide letters of exemption where indicated, but the destination country determines whether the reason for exemption is acceptable.

Individual country guidelines can change. Costa Rica recently gazetted a change which came into force in January 2025.

There are 2 main reasons why a yellow fever might be recommended for a particular trip.

The first concern is whether you are at risk of the disease. Yellow fever is a nasty disease with a high mortality, and we have a vaccine which is highly effective and safe if given according to the guidelines. Yellow fever providers must weigh up the risk of the disease while considering whether the individual can be given the vaccine safely.

While a country may be at risk for the disease it doesn’t mean the risk is uniform throughout the country. In South America most yellow fever cases are reported in forested areas where the disease might circulate amongst non-human primates. The risk of exposure is greater in Africa where transmission of the disease is also reported in urban areas.

The second consideration is whether the itinerary requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement is dependent on full disclosure of the itinerary. In some instances, the traveller may be taking a circuitous route to a particular destination because it’s cheaper.

It is important to make sure the service provider is aware of all stopovers, particularly if they are over 12 hours.

It is also important to be vaccinated at least 10 days before travel.

A single dose of yellow fever vaccine lasts for life. This recommendation came into effect in July 2016. Prior to this date it was valid for 10 years.

Existing prior certificates are also recognised as lifetime cover, provided you have the correct documentation.

The vaccine provides good protection for 80-100% people by 10 days and 99% by 30 days.

Some individuals might be recommended to have a booster dose after 10 years. These include:

• Individuals who were diagnosed with HIV at the time of their first dose
• Individuals residing in high-risk areas for long periods of time
• Individuals travelling into an area with a designated outbreak

The vaccine is not recommended for:

• Infants under 6 months old
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Individuals with a history of anaphylaxis to eggs
• Individuals with a thymus disorder
• Individuals with weakened immune systems

Individuals aged over 60 years have a slightly higher risk of side effects with the vaccine and their risk of exposure must be considered carefully.

There are exceptional instances where a pregnant or breast-feeding woman might be given yellow fever vaccine.

You will be provided with a specific vaccination record after receiving a yellow fever vaccination. It must be signed and dated according to the guidelines. The name of the vaccine and the batch number must also be recorded. An example of the ICVP certificate can be seen on the CDC site.

If you are unable to have the vaccine for medical reasons, ask for a letter of exemption. This should be signed by an authorised yellow fever provider and the reason for the exemption noted. The centre will have an “authorised stamp”.