When you travel to a new country, you must know the health and safety regulations that apply there. This includes knowing the mandatory vaccines that different countries require. From this information, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to get vaccinated when travelling to these countries.
Travellers to many countries are required to have a yellow fever vaccine. The list of countries requiring a vaccine varies from year to year. Still, it usually includes parts of Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia.
Depending on the country, the vaccine may be required for travel to all or part of the country. Some countries also require an additional booster vaccine at a later date if you are travelling to areas where yellow fever is endemic.
The Requirements For A Yellow Fever Vaccine
Yellow fever is a potentially deadly viral infection that can be spread through the air from one infected person to another.
Countries that require a yellow fever vaccine include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), Kenya, Liberia, Mali Mauritania Montenegro Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe.
The yellow fever vaccine is available in two forms: oral and injectable. The injectable form is more effective and lasts longer than the oral form. The yellow fever vaccine must be administered at least ten days before travelling to an area where the virus is endemic. Some countries also require proof of vaccination before travel.
How To Obtain A Yellow Fever Vaccine
Some countries require a yellow fever vaccine to enter the country. This is usually done to prevent the spread of the disease. The vaccine must be pre-approved by the Government and should only be used by travellers going to rural areas in Africa or South America.
The yellow fever vaccine can be bought as a shot or a paste. Shot from vaccines are more common, but the paste form is also available. The shot form should only be given if you are healthy and have no other allergies. Paste-form vaccines should only be given if you are moderately ill or receiving chemotherapy.
You will need two doses of the vaccine, six weeks apart. You may need three doses instead of two if you have a weak immune system.
If you are travelling to any country that requires a yellow fever vaccine for entry, get this vaccine before your trip. It can help prevent serious health problems such as death from yellow fever.
What Are The Side Effects Of it?
A few potential side effects are associated with getting a yellow fever vaccine. Some of the most common are fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and a rash.
Rarely, people may experience seizures or even death. Please consult your doctor if you experience these side effects after receiving a yellow fever vaccine.
Swift Clinics provides a variety of travel immunizations as a travel vaccination service to safeguard those travelling abroad. They provide complete travel health services, such as vaccinations, pre-trip consultations, and individualized health counselling.
Depending on the location and the particular traveller’s medical history, several vaccinations could be accessible. To find out whether vaccinations are required and to get specialized travel health advice, it is advised to book a pre-trip appointment at Swift Clinics.
Is It Safe To Travel To Countries Where these vaccines are required?
Twenty-nine countries currently require a yellow fever vaccine for entry into the country. The list is updated annually. Government publishes an advisory based on the risk of acquiring yellow fever in any of the countries listed every year.
The Advisory Level 1 indicates a risk of exposure to yellow fever but no risk of getting sick from it. Travellers should proceed cautiously but do not need to take any special precautions. Advisories for countries at this level do change depending on how risky it has been determined that the country is.
Advisory Level 2 indicates a moderate risk of exposure to yellow fever. Travellers should take appropriate precautions to avoid getting sick such as wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when travelling to rural areas, using insect repellent and avoiding close contact with people who are Sick or have recently been in an area where there is a high-density of mosquitoes.
Advisory Level 3 indicates a higher risk of exposure to yellow fever, which means that people travelling to these countries should take extra precautions such as obtaining specific medical advice about preventing mosquito-borne illnesses before travelling, taking steps to prevent mosquito bites (such as using an insect repellent containing DEET), and ensuring they have adequate health insurance while travelling.
Conclusion
A yellow fever vaccine is necessary if you travel to any country requiring this vaccine for entry. Ensure to get it before your trip and consult your doctor if you experience any side effects after receiving it.
The countries that require a yellow fever vaccine vary from one year to the next. Still, it usually includes parts of Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. Depending on the country, the vaccine may be required for travel to all or part of the country.
Some countries also require an additional later if you travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic. The injectable form of the vaccine is more effective and lasts longer than the oral form. You will need two doses of the vaccine, six weeks apart. You may need three doses instead of two if you have a weak immune system.
If you travel to countries requiring a yellow fever vaccine for entry, get it before your trip. There are a few potential side effects associated with getting this vaccine. There are a few countries around the world that require a yellow fever vaccine before travelling.
It is still recommended for most people who travel to areas where the disease is prevalent, even in countries where it has been eliminated. Check with your doctor to see if you need this vaccine and what country(s) you need it for.
