Yellow Fever Vaccine in London
Yellow fever vaccine before travel
Yellow fever is a travel vaccine with two separate issues to check: medical risk and entry paperwork. You may need it because your itinerary puts you in a yellow fever area, because a country asks for an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, or both. At City Of London Clinic in London, we assess the route, dates and your medical history before advising whether vaccination is appropriate.
Yellow fever is a travel vaccine with two separate issues to check: medical risk and entry paperwork. You may need it because your itinerary puts you in a yellow fever area, because a country asks for an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, or both. At City Of London Clinic in London, we assess the route, dates and your medical history before advising whether vaccination is appropriate.
A mosquito-borne virus that can become severe quickly
Yellow fever is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. It circulates between mosquitoes and monkeys or humans, mainly in parts of tropical Africa and South and Central America. The mosquitoes involved can bite during daylight hours, so this is not only a night-time problem.
Some people have a short feverish illness with headache, muscle aches, nausea and tiredness. Others become seriously unwell. Severe yellow fever can affect the liver, kidneys and other organs, causing jaundice, bleeding and shock. Among people who develop this severe form, the risk of death is high.
For travellers, the risk is usually low, but it is not imaginary. Unvaccinated travellers have been infected after visiting risk areas in countries such as Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Angola. Forest trips, rural work, longer stays, rainy seasons and heavy mosquito exposure can all make the assessment more pointed.
Yellow fever is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. It circulates between mosquitoes and monkeys or humans, mainly in parts of tropical Africa and South and Central America. The mosquitoes involved can bite during daylight hours, so this is not only a night-time problem.
Some people have a short feverish illness with headache, muscle aches, nausea and tiredness. Others become seriously unwell. Severe yellow fever can affect the liver, kidneys and other organs, causing jaundice, bleeding and shock. Among people who develop this severe form, the risk of death is high.
For travellers, the risk is usually low, but it is not imaginary. Unvaccinated travellers have been infected after visiting risk areas in countries such as Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Angola. Forest trips, rural work, longer stays, rainy seasons and heavy mosquito exposure can all make the assessment more pointed.
Yellow fever is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. It circulates between mosquitoes and monkeys or humans, mainly in parts of tropical Africa and South and Central America. The mosquitoes involved can bite during daylight hours, so this is not only a night-time problem.
Some people have a short feverish illness with headache, muscle aches, nausea and tiredness. Others become seriously unwell. Severe yellow fever can affect the liver, kidneys and other organs, causing jaundice, bleeding and shock. Among people who develop this severe form, the risk of death is high.
For travellers, the risk is usually low, but it is not imaginary. Unvaccinated travellers have been infected after visiting risk areas in countries such as Brazil, Peru, Bolivia and Angola. Forest trips, rural work, longer stays, rainy seasons and heavy mosquito exposure can all make the assessment more pointed.
One dose, a certificate, and a proper suitability check
The yellow fever vaccine is a live, weakened vaccine. It trains your immune system to recognise the virus without causing yellow fever itself. For most travellers who can receive it, the schedule is a single dose, ideally given at least 10 days before entering a country where protection or certificate validity matters.
In the UK, yellow fever vaccination is linked to the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, often called the yellow fever certificate. For most people, that certificate is valid for life once it has become effective. A booster is not routine for every traveller, although it may be advised for a smaller group who remain at ongoing risk.
The vaccine is generally considered from 9 months of age. Babies under 6 months must not receive it, and infants between 6 and 8 months need specialist assessment if travel to a high-risk area cannot be avoided. Extra caution is also needed for pregnancy, breastfeeding, people aged 60 or over, immune suppression, significant egg allergy, previous serious reactions, and anyone with a history of thymus disease or thymus removal. Common reactions include headache, muscle aches and a low-grade fever in the days after vaccination. Serious reactions are rare, but the screening questions matter.
The yellow fever vaccine is a live, weakened vaccine. It trains your immune system to recognise the virus without causing yellow fever itself. For most travellers who can receive it, the schedule is a single dose, ideally given at least 10 days before entering a country where protection or certificate validity matters.
In the UK, yellow fever vaccination is linked to the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, often called the yellow fever certificate. For most people, that certificate is valid for life once it has become effective. A booster is not routine for every traveller, although it may be advised for a smaller group who remain at ongoing risk.
The vaccine is generally considered from 9 months of age. Babies under 6 months must not receive it, and infants between 6 and 8 months need specialist assessment if travel to a high-risk area cannot be avoided. Extra caution is also needed for pregnancy, breastfeeding, people aged 60 or over, immune suppression, significant egg allergy, previous serious reactions, and anyone with a history of thymus disease or thymus removal. Common reactions include headache, muscle aches and a low-grade fever in the days after vaccination. Serious reactions are rare, but the screening questions matter.
The yellow fever vaccine is a live, weakened vaccine. It trains your immune system to recognise the virus without causing yellow fever itself. For most travellers who can receive it, the schedule is a single dose, ideally given at least 10 days before entering a country where protection or certificate validity matters.
In the UK, yellow fever vaccination is linked to the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, often called the yellow fever certificate. For most people, that certificate is valid for life once it has become effective. A booster is not routine for every traveller, although it may be advised for a smaller group who remain at ongoing risk.
The vaccine is generally considered from 9 months of age. Babies under 6 months must not receive it, and infants between 6 and 8 months need specialist assessment if travel to a high-risk area cannot be avoided. Extra caution is also needed for pregnancy, breastfeeding, people aged 60 or over, immune suppression, significant egg allergy, previous serious reactions, and anyone with a history of thymus disease or thymus removal. Common reactions include headache, muscle aches and a low-grade fever in the days after vaccination. Serious reactions are rare, but the screening questions matter.
One dose, a certificate, and a proper suitability check
Yellow fever risk exists in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South and Central America. In Africa, vaccination may be relevant for travel to countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and parts of Kenya or Ethiopia. In the Americas, risk can apply in areas of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, French Guiana and neighbouring countries.
Entry rules add another layer. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from, or sometimes transit through, a yellow fever risk country. That rule can apply even if your own risk of catching yellow fever on the trip is low. Country requirements change, so your appointment should use your actual flight route, including stopovers.
Yellow fever risk exists in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South and Central America. In Africa, vaccination may be relevant for travel to countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and parts of Kenya or Ethiopia. In the Americas, risk can apply in areas of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, French Guiana and neighbouring countries.
Entry rules add another layer. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from, or sometimes transit through, a yellow fever risk country. That rule can apply even if your own risk of catching yellow fever on the trip is low. Country requirements change, so your appointment should use your actual flight route, including stopovers.
Yellow fever risk exists in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South and Central America. In Africa, vaccination may be relevant for travel to countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and parts of Kenya or Ethiopia. In the Americas, risk can apply in areas of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, French Guiana and neighbouring countries.
Entry rules add another layer. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you arrive from, or sometimes transit through, a yellow fever risk country. That rule can apply even if your own risk of catching yellow fever on the trip is low. Country requirements change, so your appointment should use your actual flight route, including stopovers.
Book once your route is clear
Bring your destination list, travel dates, stopovers and any relevant medical history. That is enough for a useful yellow fever assessment and, where suitable, vaccination planning. City Of London Clinic is on Goswell Road, convenient for people coming from Farringdon or Moorgate during the working week. Book ahead if you can, especially if departure is close or your route includes certificate checks.
Bring your destination list, travel dates, stopovers and any relevant medical history. That is enough for a useful yellow fever assessment and, where suitable, vaccination planning. City Of London Clinic is on Goswell Road, convenient for people coming from Farringdon or Moorgate during the working week. Book ahead if you can, especially if departure is close or your route includes certificate checks.
Bring your destination list, travel dates, stopovers and any relevant medical history. That is enough for a useful yellow fever assessment and, where suitable, vaccination planning. City Of London Clinic is on Goswell Road, convenient for people coming from Farringdon or Moorgate during the working week. Book ahead if you can, especially if departure is close or your route includes certificate checks.
FAQ
Travel Health FAQs
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
Find clear answers to the most common travel health and malaria prevention questions.
How soon before travel should I get the yellow fever vaccine?
Aim for at least 10 days before you enter a country where yellow fever vaccination or certificate validity matters. If you are leaving sooner, still book an assessment; the advice may affect your route, paperwork or mosquito precautions.
Do I need yellow fever vaccine for Brazil?
Can I have the yellow fever vaccine if I am over 60?
What if I cannot have the yellow fever vaccine for medical reasons?
Will the yellow fever vaccine protect me from other mosquito infections?
How soon before travel should I get the yellow fever vaccine?
Aim for at least 10 days before you enter a country where yellow fever vaccination or certificate validity matters. If you are leaving sooner, still book an assessment; the advice may affect your route, paperwork or mosquito precautions.
Do I need yellow fever vaccine for Brazil?
Can I have the yellow fever vaccine if I am over 60?
What if I cannot have the yellow fever vaccine for medical reasons?
Will the yellow fever vaccine protect me from other mosquito infections?