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Yellow Fever Vaccination
Yellow Fever Vaccination
YF Vaccine contraindications and precautions
YF Distribution Maps, WHO 2015
YF vaccine administration algorithm
- Yellow fever vaccines may only be administered by holders of a valid yellow fever licence, issued by the National Department of Health
- South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all travellers (over one year of age) travelling from a yellow fever risk country to South Africa
- Vaccination certificates are routinely checked at the South African port of entry
- Transit passengers: Travellers who have been in transit exceeding 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission are required to produce a vaccination certificate upon arrival
- Yellow fever vaccine should be administered at least 10 days prior to departure
- The yellow fever vaccine is a live attenuated 17-D strain vaccine
YF Vaccine contraindications and precautions
| Contraindication | Precaution |
| Egg allergy | 6-8 months |
| < 6 months | > 60 years |
| HIV + with CD4< 200 cells/mm3 | CD4 200-500 cells/mm3 |
| Thymus disorders (myasthenia gravis, thymoma or thymectomy) | Pregnancy |
| Primary immunodeficiencies | Breastfeeding |
| Malignant neoplasm | Acute febrile illness |
| Current Immunosuppressant therapy |
Yellow Fever Distribution Maps, WHO 2015
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Note: As from 2015 travellers visiting the following countries will no longer be required to produce proof of vaccination when arriving in South Africa: Zambia, Tanzania, Eritrea, Somalia, Sao Tome, Principe and Rwanda.
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Yellow fever vaccine administration algorithm
South African Society of Travel Medicine Guidelines, 2023