If you are travelling somewhere that requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, here is what you need to know. You need the yellow fever vaccine if you are heading to a country where yellow fever is present or that requires proof of vaccination on entry. It should be given at least ten days before you fly, per NHS guidance on yellow fever vaccination, and only a designated yellow fever vaccination centre can give it.
We are Theydon Bois Pharmacy, and travel health questions like this land on our counter most weeks. The vaccine itself is administered at our Goodmayes pharmacy. This guide covers what the vaccine does, who needs it, who should not have it, and how to book your appointment.
What Is Yellow Fever and How Is It Transmitted?
Yellow fever is a viral illness spread by infected mosquitoes, mainly found in parts of tropical Africa and South America. It gets its name from the jaundice, meaning yellowing of the skin and eyes, that can develop in more serious cases.
So how is yellow fever transmitted, exactly? The virus does not pass from person to person. It spreads when a mosquito that is already carrying the virus bites you, usually during the day rather than at night. That is why avoiding mosquito bites, using repellent, and covering up still matters even after vaccination. The vaccine protects you from the illness itself, not from the mosquitoes that carry it.
Symptoms of Yellow Fever
Most people who catch yellow fever will have a mild illness that passes within a few days. Some, though, go on to develop something far more serious.
Early symptoms of yellow fever tend to include:
- A sudden high temperature
- Headache and muscle aches, particularly in the back
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Flushed skin and red eyes
For a small number of people, symptoms return after a brief improvement and can progress to liver and kidney problems, bleeding, and jaundice. This more severe phase can be life-threatening, which is exactly why vaccination is taken so seriously for travel to affected regions.
Who Needs the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
You will usually need the vaccine if you are travelling to a country where yellow fever is present, or to a country that asks for proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, even if you are only passing through on a connecting flight.
The vaccine is licensed from nine months of age and should not be given under six months.
Yellow fever risk countries include large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, plus areas of South America and Central America, and Trinidad in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. Countries requiring yellow fever vaccination for entry can differ from countries where the disease is actually present, so it is worth checking both before you travel rather than assuming one covers the other.
If you are travelling for Hajj or Umrah, Saudi Arabia requires a yellow fever certificate from travellers arriving from risk countries. Our sister pharmacy in Goodmayes also runs a dedicated Hajj and Umrah vaccination service, which is worth checking alongside this one.
If you are wondering whether you need a yellow fever vaccination for a specific destination, this is exactly the kind of question a pharmacist trained in travel health can help you answer, based on where you are going, how long you are staying and what you will be doing while you are there.
Who Should Not Have the Yellow Fever Vaccine
The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine, so it is not suitable for everyone. You should discuss your options with a healthcare professional before booking if any of the following apply to you:
- A thymus disorder, or you have had your thymus removed
- Severe immunodeficiency
- A history of anaphylaxis to a previous vaccine dose or to egg
- A first-degree family member who has had a serious reaction to this vaccine, known as YEL AVD or YEL AND
People aged over 60 can usually still have the vaccine, but it is only given where the travel risk is significant and cannot be avoided, since serious side effects become more common with age. Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems also need extra care and individual assessment before having a live vaccine like this one.
Yellow Fever Vaccine for Travel: What to Expect
The yellow fever vaccine is only available at a designated yellow fever vaccination centre. It cannot be given at a standard GP surgery or most pharmacies, since it is a live vaccine that requires specific registration and training to administer.
Our sister pharmacy in Goodmayes is a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, so your appointment is booked there. Every appointment is booked in advance rather than a walk-in, since each dose needs a full travel health risk assessment and the MHRA pre-vaccination checklist for yellow fever vaccine to be completed first. You will be asked about your health history, any allergies and your travel plans, so it helps to have your itinerary to hand when you book.
In our experience, most last minute enquiries are for safari or volunteering trips booked within two weeks of departure. If your flight is that close, call us directly rather than booking online, since Goodmayes may be able to fit you in at short notice.
How Long Does the Yellow Fever Vaccine Last?
So how long does the vaccine last once you have had it? For most people, a single dose gives protection for life. This is the position taken by the World Health Organization, and it means the majority of travellers will not need a booster once they have had their first dose, even years later.
There are exceptions. A further dose may be recommended if you were vaccinated before the age of two, if you were pregnant at the time of your first vaccination, or if you have a condition or treatment that affects your immune system. If any of that applies to you, mention it when you book, so it can be factored into your appointment.
One dose gives most people protection for life
Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects
Like any vaccine, this one can cause side effects. Most are mild and settle within a couple of weeks. Around 10 to 30 per cent of people notice soreness, a headache, or some general aches and a mild temperature in the days afterwards, according to the NaTHNaC yellow fever factsheet.
Serious reactions are rare, but they are more serious than with most travel vaccines, so it is worth knowing about them. Two specific reactions, known as YEL AVD and YEL AND, affect around 0.3 and 0.8 people in every 100,000 doses. Both are more common in people over 60. Two fatal cases were reported in the UK between 2018 and 2019. If you notice swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, or a widespread rash shortly after vaccination, this needs urgent medical attention.
Anyone with a history of severe allergic reactions to previous vaccines, or with certain immune conditions, should discuss this with a healthcare professional before having a live vaccine like this one.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate and Travel Requirements
Once you have had the vaccine, you will be given an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, often just called a yellow fever certificate. This becomes valid ten days after vaccination, not immediately, which is why leaving it to the last minute before a flight is not a good idea.
Your certificate is not valid until day 10
Since July 2016, the certificate is valid for the rest of your life. If you have an older certificate showing an expiry date from before that change, it is still valid, and you do not need a repeat dose.
Yellow fever travel requirements vary by country and can change, so it is always worth checking the country by country entry requirements on TravelHealthPro for your specific destination and any countries you are transiting through, well before you travel. Border officials can and do ask to see this certificate, and without it you could be refused entry or offered vaccination on arrival under far less ideal conditions.
Cost for Yellow Fever Vaccination in the UK
The yellow fever vaccine is not available free of charge on the NHS for travel purposes, since it falls under travel health rather than routine immunisation. You will need to pay privately at a designated travel clinic or pharmacy.
The yellow fever vaccine at our sister pharmacy in Goodmayes costs [PRICE, please confirm with client before publishing], which includes the consultation and your certificate. Check current travel vaccine prices before you book, so there are no surprises on the day.
How Far Ahead Should You Book?
A rough guide to timing, depending on how soon you are travelling:
| When | What to do |
| 6 to 8 weeks before | Good time to book if you also need other travel vaccines, such as typhoid or hepatitis A, since some need more than one dose. |
| 2 to 4 weeks before | Still a comfortable amount of time to book and get your certificate sorted before you fly. |
| 11 to 13 days before | This is close to the minimum. Book now if you have not already. |
| Under 10 days before | Your certificate will not be valid in time under standard rules. Call us so we can talk through your options. |
For more on getting ahead of this, see why planning ahead for travel vaccinations matters.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Near Epping and Loughton
If you are local to Epping, Loughton, Chigwell, Buckhurst Hill or the wider Essex area, this is where the yellow fever vaccine itself is given. Our sister pharmacy in Goodmayes is a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, about [DISTANCE from Theydon Bois to Goodmayes, please confirm] away, and also serves the Ilford and Redbridge area.
Getting your yellow fever vaccination sorted alongside any other travel vaccinations you might need, such as those for typhoid or hepatitis A, in one visit can also save you time before a trip. Our travel clinic in Essex can also help with antimalarial tablets for your destination if you need them.
Ready to Book?
If you have a trip coming up and need to sort your vaccine, we are here to help. Give us a call or pop into Theydon Bois Pharmacy and we will talk you through what your destination actually requires. When you are ready, book yellow fever vaccination at our Goodmayes pharmacy and we will take it from there.
FAQs About the Yellow Fever Vaccine
Is the yellow fever vaccine compulsory for all travel abroad?
No. It is only required for travel to specific countries where the disease is present, or for entry to countries that ask for proof of vaccination, often depending on where you have travelled from.
Can I get the yellow fever vaccine at my GP surgery?
No. It can only be given at a designated yellow fever vaccination centre, since it requires specific registration and training. You will need to visit a centre such as our sister pharmacy in Goodmayes.
How soon before I travel should I have the vaccine?
At least ten days before you fly, since the certificate only becomes valid from day ten and full protection needs time to develop.
Does the yellow fever vaccine protect against other travel illnesses?
No. It only protects against yellow fever. Other travel vaccinations and mosquito bite prevention are still needed to help protect against different risks.
Is the vaccine suitable for everyone?
No. It is not suitable for people with certain immune conditions, a thymus disorder, a severe egg allergy, or a family history of serious reactions to this vaccine. Pregnant women and people over 60 need an individual assessment first, since it is a live vaccine.
What if my old certificate shows an expiry date?
Certificates issued before July 2016 are still valid for life, even if they show an expiry date. You do not need a repeat dose solely because of an old expiry date.