What is a yellow fever vaccination certificate?
The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is a document that allows travellers to prove that they have received immunisation against yellow fever. This is essential when travelling internationally as some countries require visitors to present such a certificate to allow entry. People who have contraindications or precautions to receive the yellow fever vaccine may receive a proof of their condition to be completed in the ICVP contraindications to vaccination section.
Contraindications to receiving the immunisation are as follows:
There are precautions to administering the yellow fever vaccine. The vaccine may be recommended for individuals in the following groups following a risk assessment:
- Allergy to the components of the formula
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Infants 6 to 8 months of age
- Adults 60 years and older
- People infected with HIV
For up to date clinical information and guidelines, please consult Clinical Information – The Yellow Fever Zone (NaTHNaC)
How do I get a yellow fever certificate?
The clinics authorised to administer the yellow fever vaccine are responsible for presenting this document to their clients. After receiving the vaccine, make sure you also receive this document duly completed and signed with a seal from the clinic. The certificate is valid starting 10 days after the vaccine is administered. The ICVP looks like this.
Which countries require yellow fever vaccination?
The following countries require a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all visitors, regardless of their place of origin (1):
- Angola
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Republic of Congo
- Ivory Coast
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Uganda
(1) CDC Yellow Book 2018
Persons arriving in a country that has this requirement without an ICVP may be banned from entering or in some cases may be quarantined for six days or vaccinated on-site.
