Yellow Fever (YF -VAX) Vaccine FAQs
When was the yellow fever vaccine created?
The vaccine is made from weakened yellow fever virus and has been available since the 1930s.
Who should get the yellow fever vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yellow fever vaccination for persons traveling or residing in high-risk regions who are 9 months old or older.
Where to get the yellow fever vaccine?
A yellow fever vaccine can be obtained in a yellow fever-designated center. Only some doctor's offices are designated as yellow fever centers.
How much does the yellow fever vaccine cost?
The typical yellow fever vaccine costs $240, but the price varies by location and clinic. The vaccine administration (or office) fee is in addition.
Is yellow fever vaccine required or recommended?
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for travel to some countries and required for others.
Recommended
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for most high-risk destinations for yellow fever. Although you can enter the country without a yellow fever certificate, according to the CDC travel health recommendations, you must get the vaccine since the disease has spread in that country. If you are visiting a part of that country where yellow fever is endemic, you should present the yellow fever international certificate of vaccination before entering that area.
Required
- Some countries where yellow fever is endemic require a yellow fever certificate from all travelers. Check your destination country’s requirements here.
- Some countries where yellow fever is not endemic require a vaccine certificate if you visited a high-risk country (regardless of whether you visited a yellow fever zone) within the last 30 days.
Please note: Some countries require yellow fever vaccination if you spent over 12 hours in an airport in a high-risk area within the last 30 days.
Who cannot get a yellow fever vaccine?
Some people cannot get the Yellow fever vaccine:
- People who are allergic to the vaccine
- Infants less than nine months old
- Organ transplant recipients (unless approved by the treating doctor)
- People with cancer (unless approved by the treating doctor)
- Patients with thymus diseases (unless approved by the treating doctor)
- People with primary immunodeficiency (unless approved by treating doctor)
- People receiving immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory treatment (unless approved by the treating doctor)
- HIV-positive patients (unless approved by the treating doctor)
How long before I travel should I get the yellow fever vaccine?
Ideally, the yellow fever vaccine should be received at least ten days before departure. However, it will provide some protection if received later than that (three to four days after being vaccinated).
I am late getting my yellow fever vaccination. Is it still worthwhile getting it?
Yes! The yellow fever vaccine provides partial protection a couple of days after your vaccination and almost 100% protection ten days after.
I cannot find my yellow fever vaccine records. Is the extra vaccine harmful to my health?
No! The extra (unnecessary) yellow fever shot will not harm you. And it may save your life if you’ve never been vaccinated or were vaccinated more than ten years ago.
What if I got the yellow fever vaccine in the past?
Please check the date of your last vaccination. You don't need an additional shot if you were vaccinated less than ten years ago. However, if you are visiting a high-risk region and received the latest dose of the vaccine more than ten years ago, you should consider a booster dose. For some countries, a booster dose is recommended and required. Usually, vaccination centers provide the information needed during travel consultations. However, you can also check the requirements of each country here.
How can I find my yellow fever vaccine records?
Unfortunately, the United States does not have a nationwide system for maintaining vaccine administration records. However, you can find your records by following the suggestions below.
| Ways to Find Your Vaccine Administration Record | |
|---|---|
| Check your medical records at the healthcare facility where you received the vaccine | Contact your school or college |
| Ask your parents if they have those records | Contact your past employers (some of them require proof of immunization) |
| Check old medical records from your childhood |
Contact your current healthcare provider Contact your local health department |
What is a Yellow fever certificate or international certificate of vaccination?
Once the vaccine is given, the yellow fever card ("yellow card" or international travel certificate) will be issued. It is a WHO certificate with the individual vaccine batch number and expiration date. It will serve as a record of having a yellow fever vaccine. This is the example of the yellow fever card:
