What yellow fever is

Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes in tropical regions of Africa and South America. It can range from mild illness to severe disease with jaundice, bleeding, organ failure and death. Around 30,000 deaths globally each year, mostly in Africa.

It's the only travel vaccine that countries can formally require under International Health Regulations — because of the risk of bringing the virus into new mosquito populations.

Where is the vaccine required vs recommended?

Required for entry (selected examples)

Around 40 countries require an ICVP certificate for entry from yellow fever countries. Examples include Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Brazil (selected regions), Bolivia and others. The list updates — we check current rules at your appointment.

Recommended (not required)

Many areas of tropical South America and Sub-Saharan Africa have yellow fever transmission but don't formally require a certificate. The recommendation is based on health risk, not entry rules. We discuss whether vaccination is appropriate regardless of legal requirement.

Not needed

Asia (excluding very specific border regions), most of North Africa, Europe, North America, Australia, and most of the Pacific. Yellow fever doesn't exist in these areas and vaccination isn't relevant.

How the certificate works

The ICVP (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis) is a legally-recognised document under WHO regulations:

• Includes your name, passport details, vaccine batch number, date administered
• Signed by an authorised vaccinator at a designated centre
• Stamped with the official Yellow Fever Centre stamp
• Valid from 10 days post-vaccination
• Lifelong validity for most adults (since 2016)

You carry it with your passport. Some countries check on arrival; others check during specific outbreaks. The certificate is recognised globally.

What to expect at your appointment

A standard yellow fever consultation includes:

1. Screening for contraindications. Age (especially over 60), pregnancy, immunosuppression, thymus history, severe egg allergy
2. Destination risk discussion. Where, when, what activities
3. Vaccine administration. Single subcutaneous injection in the arm
4. Certificate completion. ICVP issued with all required details
5. Aftercare advice. What side effects to expect, when to seek help if unwell

The whole appointment usually takes 20–30 minutes.

Side effects

Most patients have mild reactions:

• Sore arm at the injection site for 24–48 hours
• Low-grade fever, fatigue, headache for 1–3 days
• Muscle aches

Rare but serious reactions include yellow fever vaccine-associated neurological disease (YFV-AND) and viscerotropic disease (YFV-AVD). Risk is higher in older adults — hence careful screening over age 60.

Who shouldn't have the vaccine

Absolute contraindications

• Infants under 6 months (under 9 months unless essential)
• Severe egg allergy with anaphylaxis
• Severe immunosuppression (low CD4 in HIV, chemotherapy, high-dose steroids, biologics for autoimmune disease)
• Thymus disorders (myasthenia gravis, history of thymectomy, thymoma)

Relative contraindications (careful discussion)

• Age 60+ (small increased risk of serious adverse events)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Mild immunosuppression
• Recent live vaccines

For these groups, we discuss whether travel is essential, whether destination risk genuinely requires vaccination, and whether a medical exemption is appropriate.

Medical exemption certificates

If you can't have the vaccine but your destination requires the certificate for entry, we can issue a medical exemption certificate. This is recognised under International Health Regulations but isn't a guaranteed entry pass — border officials may still scrutinise.

Alternatives often include:

• Choosing destinations that don't require yellow fever entry
• Transiting through countries that don't trigger the requirement
• Carrying full medical documentation explaining the exemption

Timing matters

The certificate is valid from 10 days post-vaccination. Plan ahead. If you have the vaccine 8 days before arrival, you won't be allowed in countries that require the certificate.

For most adults, the single dose then protects for life. Some specific situations (immunosuppression developing post-vaccination, certain countries' specific rules) may require boosters — we check current guidance at your visit.

Frenchwood Pharmacy as a Yellow Fever Centre

Yellow Fever vaccination requires specific NaTHNaC accreditation. Not every clinic can issue valid ICVP certificates. Frenchwood Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1033851) is a designated centre, with Hamza Ali Khan (MPharm, IP, GPhC 2233681) as the authorised vaccinator.

That means same-day vaccine and certificate from a single appointment, with full regulatory compliance.

Book your Yellow Fever appointment

Allow at least 10 days before travel for the certificate to be valid. Bring your passport, travel itinerary, and any previous vaccination records. Book online or walk in to Frenchwood Pharmacy on Ruskin Street — no GP referral required.