Yellow Fever Vaccine Passport: What You Should Know

The document is commonly called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. It records the vaccine date, the vaccine provider's details, and the official validation of the vaccination centre. It is separate from a routine medical record, so keep it with your passport and travel documents.

Entry requirements depend on the destination and may also depend on countries visited or transited through before arrival. A valid certificate can remain valid for the lifetime of the vaccinated person, but border officials apply their own current entry procedures.

Check the requirements for every country on your itinerary before arranging the vaccine. Book with an authorised yellow fever vaccination provider early enough for the certificate to be completed before travel. Take your passport, travel plan, and any previous yellow fever certificate to the appointment.

Review your health history with the clinician, including immune-system conditions, medicines that affect immunity, pregnancy, breastfeeding, serious allergies, and prior vaccine reactions. Keep the original certificate dry and legible; a damaged or incomplete document may cause difficulty during travel checks.

Seek urgent medical care after vaccination for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, or a high fever. Contact the vaccination provider if you notice a reaction that is worrying, persistent, or worsening, or if a certificate was completed incorrectly.

Ask whether your itinerary creates a vaccination or certificate requirement, whether your medical history changes the plan, and what information should appear on the certificate. If vaccination is unsuitable, ask whether a medical waiver is relevant for your destination and how to carry it.