KayeN

Hi everyone

Anyone unable to have the yellow fever vaccine, have trouble with entry from Tanzania to another country or into Tanzania from another country?

Will be going from Australia to South Africa, then onto Tanzania then Rwanda, then back to South Africa and then back to Australia via Singapore.

Kind regards

Kaye

amyb

I think it depends on your routing. I did not need it (and was not asked for proof at the airport in TZ) coming from Europe. But I know if I transited through Kenya, I would have needed it. I would consult a travel clinic and ask them about transiting through S. Africa before you get to Tanzania.

pollydill

I could not take the YF vaccine either due to my RA and required meds. I had a waiver from a travel doctor, but no one looked at it. Beginning in the US, I traveled from Kenya to Tanzania to Rwanda and back to Kenya.

I did have the "yellow passport" that listed the vaccines I did have. That seemed to satisfy. I would get the waiver regardless.

Have a great trip!

sandi

If in/out of OZ, believe you need the YF coming from Africa to re-enter. Definitely if after being in both Rwanda, Tanzania, it will be required for entry to South Africa.

And, from Rwanda to Tanzania it's required.

While checking for proof isn't guaranteed, if they do ask on arrival Tanzania and you don't have the agent can escort you to a side room where you will given you the jab - cost USD$50.

There is an option/waiver for qualified reasons that can be provided/signed by your doc, but if only doing so because you don't want to pay for the YF jab... that's a lie. Besides, the YF jab is good for 10/yrs thus the cost is minimal over that period. And, you have no idea where you might travel next you will require it.

I've had twice, paid whatever the cost each time and never any reaction.

... oh, and if the doc or travel clinic indicates YF is not required, even what the CDC or WHO say, they don't make the rules... it's Tanzania that makes those that have to be adhered to.

pollydill

Taking the YF vaccine if you are immunocompromised is very dangerous and potentially fatal.
Cost is not the prohibitive factor.

Treepol

I have been advised that the YF vaccine is required to re-enter Australia. When returning from an area where there has been an outbreak, expect the quarantine guys to be very vigilant.

However, I've never been asked to show my 'yellow passport' when returning home from Africa or South America. The 'yellow passport' was checked in Tanzania in either 2005 or 2008.

KayeN

Hi everyone

Sandi, cost has nothing to do with it! Nor do I have doctors/specialists to lie on my behalf, just so I don't pay for a needle, that would be ridiculously stupid, and I don't like to think that I am! Like pollydill says, it is actually a live vaccine and due to health issues and medication I am on, I cannot have it, as mentioned dangerous and potentially fatal. This has nothing to do with a travel doctor but with my specialist, and he has advised me to go to my travel doctor and get a form from them.

Just did not know where I may strike trouble, but it may well be re-entering South Africa or coming back to Australia. I do have the yellow passport Treepol but I am sure I am not the only one unable to have it, so Australian customs will have seen it before.

Just waiting for blood test results to tell me the levels for the rabies vaccine, then it looks like a trip to the big city to get this sorted out!

Kind regards

Kaye

JaneB

A few years ago, the son of a friend went on a fishing trip to Brazil. He did not get the shot before going. Several weeks after he returned he died a horrible death. It was later determined that he had died from yellow fever. The local doctors never knew what was wrong with him and never considered YF. It CAN happen!

lfnaustralia

Hello Kaye.
Last year we returned from Kenya via Bangkok & had to have the YF booklet & a pre immigration check of it before being allowed into Thailand.I would be checking Singapore regs to see if it is similar. Not sure if you are in transit or staying o'night there?
Sounds like a great trip!

sandi

I didn't mean to bring up the 'lie' but you'd be amazed how many try to avoid this jab, based mainly on the cost rather than their physical well-being and especially the requirement many countries themselves have for visitors arriving from certain destinations.

If you have qualified reason - allergies, on other contraindicated meds, immunosupressed system, other - then you can have the waiver signed or document on docs letterhead to this effect that will be accepted.

Regarding 'rabies' this isnt required as all it provides is about 24/hrs to get to help. It does not prevent the disease. And unless you will be in area/s where you're likely to come into contact/bitten by a rabid animal... it's not necessary.

KayeN

Hi Jane

I would also happily get the needle, and I fully understand it can happen, but having rheumatoid arthritis and being on strong medication means I CANNOT have live vaccines, one of which is Yellow Fever.

Hi Ifnaustralia
It is transit through Singapore, but again, it is not that I am choosing not to have the injection, my specialist is saying do not have the injection, so will just need the waiver. And yes, it does sound a real adventure and we will be having a fantastic time!

Hi Sandi
With a medical family I can assure you, I can avoid very few injections, even if I chose to do so!

Yes, it is a medical reason that I cannot have the vaccine and my specialist believed it best that the letter came from a group of Travel Doctors, as this is their specialty and I will go and see them as I do whenever I go to different countries and in Australia, we cannot get Yellow Fever from any doctor anyhow, it must be through certain chanels, and travel doctors are certainly one of them. I also have no doubt that with my current medications and history, they will also be saying that I cannot have the vaccine.

Yes regarding the rabies, again I do know that information but, for the wildlife centre where I will be working, it is a requirement. It is also a requirement at home for wildlife care with our bats, not that I care for bats as I care for possums, but I am able to go and pick up and transport bats, if required by having had the rabies needle, so it is for both these reasons, that I need to check my levels before heading back to Africa.

Again, thanks everyone for your advice!

Kind regards

Kaye

sandi

Kaye -

You certainly qualify for the waiver and I understand your situation regarding rabies.

Unfortunately, some travelers skim over these forums and read only a few sentences and assume the reply is for them without reading on and becoming aware of all the pros/cons. Why it's best for travelers to do their own research and discuss with the professionals and if some info from the 'smart docs' just doesn't sound right, get more info as it pertains to the individual traveler. When it comes to health, it's certainly not 'one fits all'

TracksBerg2013

This is the link to the listing from the Centre for disease control
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov...ellow-fever.htm

KayeN

Hi Sandi

Which is why I always think people should seek travel doctors advice regarding what they need, not on this forum Sandi. Then make your decisions taking into account what risks you are taking.

I had already found out I could not have the yf vaccine due to medical issues, just was wondering where I might need the exemption certificate, but it may well be on my return home!

Sadly, my results came back for rabies and I do need a booster, while my niece had the needle series at the same time I did last year and she is returning to the wildlife centre just after we get home, and she is fine! So that is one I will need! and can get now, not that long ago that that injection was also a live vaccine.

TracksBerg that did not work for me. Where is it from, as in which country?

Kind regards

Kaye

TracksBerg2013

Hi Kaye, Sorry the link doesn't work,"Not sure why" but basically its a link to the Center for disease control and Prevention. They actually classify Tanzania as a low potential for exposure to yellow fever virus and therefore proof of yellow fever vaccination should not be required when travelling from Tanzania.

For medical waivers,its stated a physician who has decided to issue a waiver should fill out and sign the Medical Contraindications to Vaccination section of the ICVP (International Certificate of Vaccination OR Prophylaxis). The clinician should also do the following:


1. Give the traveler a signed and dated exemption letter on the physician’s letterhead stationery, clearly stating the contraindications to vaccination and bearing the stamp used by the yellow fever vaccination centers to validate the ICVP.

2.Inform the traveler of any increased risk for yellow fever infection associated with non vaccination and how to minimize this risk by avoiding mosquito bites.

olive1209

Hi Kaye,

I am going to Tanzania in July, my immunization nurse told me it was not mandatory but they have had several instances when they would not let you in the country without it.

I am going to get one before I go.

sandi

The URL provided is that from the Centers for Disease Control in the US, www.cdc.gov/travel (select country or topic/disease) for details. And though both CDC and WHO indicate that YF is of low incidence in Kenya and Tanzania, it's Tanzania that makes the rules for travelers visiting 'their' country.

About 3/yrs ago there was a large outbreak of yellow fever in Uganda and that's when Tanzania specifically put into law the need for this jab, with option for waiver not to have if said traveler meets the reasons.

pumpkin

What do you mean by a "yellow passport"? I have a letter from the Infectious Disease DR. which states that it is not advisable for me to have the YF shot. Is there something else he should sign or do?

sdb2

I hadn't heard the term 'yellow passport' until now. I believe that refers to the yellow card that is known as the "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis" that is approved by the World Health Organization. Nowadays the only jab needed for international travel is Yellow Fever.

Take a look at this link: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbo...l/yellow-fever

About 3/4 of the way down the page you'll see pictures of the vaccination form and a waiver form. I've never heard of anyone having that yellow waiver form; rather the letter from a doctor (on letterhead) suffices in all cases I've read about.

sandi

Depending on whether the visitor sees an Infectious Diseases Specialist or their own physician, they may receive the 'waiver' indicated on the yellow card (from the former) or on the docs letterhead. Get one or the other and present this if requested to do so.