What should you know about oral yellow fever vaccine?

Yellow fever vaccination is considered for people travelling to or living in areas where yellow fever risk or entry requirements apply. A travel-health clinician checks your destination, route, departure timing, age, health conditions, pregnancy status and medicines. Some travellers may receive a vaccination certificate after an approved vaccination. Requirements can vary by itinerary, including transit through another country.

Book a travel-health appointment well before departure and bring your itinerary and vaccination history. Tell the clinician about allergies, immune-system problems, thymus disorders, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and previous reactions to vaccines. Do not buy or take an advertised oral yellow fever product as a replacement. Ask how to protect yourself from mosquito bites as well as whether vaccination is suitable.

After vaccination, seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, widespread hives or collapse. Contact a clinician for a high fever, severe illness or symptoms that concern you after travel to a risk area. Before departure, ask promptly if you have little time left, because suitability and documentation may need individual review.

Ask whether your exact itinerary requires vaccination or a certificate, whether your medical history changes eligibility, which side effects to expect, and what mosquito precautions you should use. Confirm how your vaccination record will be documented.