What should you know about getting a yellow fever certificate?

The document is commonly called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. It records your identity details, the yellow fever vaccine given, the date of vaccination, and the authorised provider's signature or stamp. Border officials may request it when you arrive from, or travel through, a country where yellow fever transmission occurs. Entry requirements depend on your itinerary, including transit stops, and can change, so check the requirements for every destination before departure.

A certificate confirms that vaccination was documented; it does not replace mosquito-bite precautions or a travel health assessment. Some people may need an individual discussion before vaccination, including people with certain immune problems, severe allergies to a vaccine component, or particular medical conditions. A clinician can decide whether vaccination is suitable and explain any alternative documentation that may apply.

Arrange a travel health appointment with an authorised yellow fever vaccination centre well before your trip. Take your passport or other accepted identification, your itinerary, and your vaccination record if you have it. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, breastfeeding, long-term illnesses, immune-suppressing medicines, allergies, and any previous reaction to a vaccine. The centre can assess your route, give the vaccine when appropriate, and complete the certificate using the same personal details as your travel document.

Check the completed certificate before leaving the centre. Make sure your name and date of birth match your passport, the vaccination date is legible, and the provider has completed the required sections. Keep the original with your travel documents and store a secure copy separately. If the certificate is lost or contains an error, contact the issuing centre promptly rather than altering it yourself.

For vaccine information and preparation, see [Yellow Fever Vaccination](/treatments/preventive-care-and-vaccination/yellow-fever-vaccination/).

Contact the vaccination centre or a clinician if you develop concerning symptoms after vaccination, or if a reaction is worsening rather than settling. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, fainting, confusion, or severe weakness. These symptoms can signal a serious reaction and need prompt assessment.

After travel, seek medical advice urgently for fever or an acute illness, and tell the clinician where you have been and when you returned. A certificate helps document vaccination, but it does not rule out every travel-related infection. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have another condition that may increase the consequences of infection.

Ask which destinations and transit points on your itinerary require a certificate, whether your medical history affects vaccination, when the certificate will become valid for travel, and what to do if your route changes. You can also ask how to protect yourself from mosquito bites and which symptoms after travel should prompt an assessment.