acceptance of Yellow Fever waiver at Tanzania border and Kenya airport
 

I am traveling to Niborbi in October and then on to Tanzania on safari. My doctor insists that his waiver for the Yellow Fever vaccination will be accepted according to the World Health Organization and CDC. He will be documenting my health related issue and using the proper letter head paperwork according to these professionals. I am looking for any one who has recently had a similar waiver that has used it when entering Kenya from the Nirobi airport and then at the Tanzania border. I will be crossing near the Masi Mara and then Amboseli. Is it accepted? Were there any complications? Were you forced to have a vaccination on the spot or given trouble?

Thanks for your input
Spunkie

Not to worry Spunkie. I too have the waiver and had no problem crossing into Tanzania from Kenya (also near Amboselli) or Rwanda from Tanzania. For that matter, no one even looked to see if I (or my vaccinated husband) had the YF vaccination. I did have the yellow "passport" however, but rather than showing proof of vaccine, it indicated I was unable to take the vaccine. I also had a letter from my Doctor. A YF vaccine to one who is immunocompromised could be deadly. (No YF vaccine is required in Kenya)

Have a great trip!

The waiver should be fine.

And as above... no YF inoc required for Kenya; only at the Tanzania borders whether Isebania to the West (coming from the Mara) or returning at Namanga to the East.

No one every asked or looked at any of our health/vaccine papers on any trip to Kenya or Tanzania.

Doesn't mean they won't. Yes, it can be hit or miss, but you don't want to be hit and not have documentation as proof of the jab or a waiver.

Some visits I've been asked, others not!

We flew into Tanzania at Arusha from Nairobi earlier this month (August 2012) and officials were stopping everyone at the entrance gate to the Arusha airport and checking for yellow fever certificates. Those who didn't have one (or presumably a waiver) were being taken aside. This was the first time we were asked for our certificates. It would be risky to assume you won't need one. CR

Pollydill it is good to hear from one who has used the waiver.

Would love to hear from a couple other people who have also had a waiver at the border at Mara who drove over. Sandi did you have a waiver?

Thanks to all for the input.

We plan to use a YF waiver (because of age - mid-70s) for our Tanzania trip.
My doctor gave us a note on his letterhead, but I suspect from reading the above that a special form is needed - the yellow "passport". Is this the same yellow card with all the previous immunizations, or is another form needed and where can you get it?
Thanks.

The yellow "passport" is the YF vaccine certificate that I acquired from a travel doctor (along with the letter from the doctor explaining I could not take the YF vaccine). I held it with my passport when crossing into Tanzania from Kenya (Kenya does not require YF vaccine) so it was visible, however no one asked to see it. It sounds like it is hit or miss if asked for the paperwork and I found this to be true in Rwanda as well.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.

Thanks, pollydill
My regular doctor, who is not a travel doctor, gave me a note. However, now that I know, I guess I can get the yellow card from the travel clinic I've used in the past.

I work at a travel care clinic in Atlanta. The "yellow passport" referred to is the yellow card, issued by the WHO (World Health Organization). Travel care clinics like ours, that are certified yellow fever clinics, provide the yellow card to patients who either request them to keep track of all vaccinations, or to provide proof of having the yellow fever injection. There is a special place on the card for the lot number of the yellow fever vaccine.

We do waivers on our letterhead for patients who are over the age of 60 (the manufacturer of the vaccine does not recommend it for people in this age group), or who are immune-compromised, and traveling to a country where the CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination.

As Pollydill said, if you have a yf medical waiver, it sounds like a good idea to have a yellow card with your other vaccinations listed, and make it visible when you get to immigration in Tanzania, along with your medical waiver and passport.

Once you provide (if asked for YF proof) your doc's 'waiver' letter, believe me the agents at TNZ Immigration won't care a hoot about any other inoculations you've had over the years that might appear on a 'yellow' card. With 300+ hot (little a/c if any), bothered and tired paxs deplaning with some requiring Visas, they don't have time.

Unless your Travel Clinic will provide the Yellow Card, free of charge, I wouldn't bother if 'just to have.' Besides, the Clinic won't have a records... you'd have to complete, so have to ask "do you have a record of all inoculations?" Since when? Childhood? As Adults? What, when, good for how long/when or if they expire/d?

That said though, everyone should keep a record of all inoculations, especially as adults, for their own well-being and/or you change doctors... but a special card? Up to you!

I'm with Sandi. I'm not sure how the card will help since you didn't receive the YF vaccine, therefore it can't be listed in the card. YF is the only one they care about.

Just to clarify-
I have the yellow card; it's missing the last segment (torn off, I suspect, years ago.). It has all my other shots, etc. If I get a second card, I would use the bottom, probably taped on to the old one, or the two together, with the Dr.'s waiver on the back, plus his note.
Sounds like a bit of overkill, I know.

No offense but Sandi, I think you have missed the point.
The "yellow " card is purely visual---you are right, they are busy so if they see a flash of yellow, they generally assume you have your YF vaccine. That is not to say you should go in without a doctor's waiver in case they look carefully.

pollydill -

Believe it's time to put this subject to bed, as the OP knows what's required.

But, I must say if only having a visual piece of 'yellow' card/paper along with one's passport the agent will 'assume' you've had the YF inoc, then we can all simply retain our 1st YF card and never (after 10/yrs when these expire) have a subsequent jab... and hope the agent doesn't ask to verify the details.

If one can't for qualifying reasons have the inoc the 'waiver' is sufficient.

I am traveling to Kenya Tanzania and have a waiver for the YF vaccine. Please let me know what insect repellent you felt was the best and if there were any additional precautions you took, beyond long sleeves and pants. I've been looking at a shirt with mesh to wear over my clothes. Thanks for your help.