Hi Everyone,

I've been reading different threads on yellow fever requirements and it seems that no one has ever been asked for YF certificates while entering East African countries. My safari provider told me that I don't need a certificate to enter Kenya and Tanzania, but they weren't sure about Rwanda. If I try to enter Rwanda without a certificate, what is the worst that could happen? I don't want to run the risk of not being admitted into the country, but I also don't want to get the shot unnecessarily. I also have a passport from Brazil, which is a YF endemic zone, but I haven't been there in years and I don't want for it to be a sticking point.

Any thoughts?

It is required to enter Rwanda, but I don't know how strongly they enforce it. The worst that could happen is that you aren't allowed entry and incur a tremendous amount of extra travel expenses. Why risk it?

Many people visit Rwanda pre-, post- or between safari in Kenya or Tanzania - some have YF and others don't.

Would suggest if you can't find the information online, you contact the Rwanda Embassy or Tourist Office; and, specific to your Brazilian passport. Though if you haven't been in Brazil in years, it being an endemic area, probably won't have any impact.

The Embassy or Tourist Office!!!!

CDC's list of requirements by country:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBoo...everTable.aspx

We were asked for our Yellow Fever Certificates entering Burundi but not Rwanda .... personally, I wouldn't take the risk of either being turned away OR contracting Yellow Fever.

Imelda

You may also need to show the YC certificate at home or any other country you pass thru ...... when you return from there. You may also need to show the certificate/card on check-in for your flights. That's how i remember it ......

There are really two different questions to ask:
1) what is legally required?
2) what is medically recommended?

Make sure you are not looking only at one question.

You legally need the shot! for medical advice, as i would recommend RE anti-malarials etc etc., it's best to talk to your family doctor ...... for various reasons (allergies, reactions etc etc)

Hari

Not sure about Rwanda - but we recently travelled to Kenya, then Tanzania, back to Kenya, then on to South Africa where they most definitely asked to see our YF certificates.

Went to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda 2 years back and no one ever checked. But I am still quite glad I got the shot anyway.

We werent asked for it last week in Rwanda. But the point is, there is a reason it is required. Get the shot.

When we were at the travel clinic last week they informed us that there is a shortage of the vaccine this year. We're covered from 2 years ago, but the nurse said it's a bit of a scheduling nightmare for others with upcoming trips.

We were asked for our certificates either from Tanzania to Zanzibar or vice versa.We were very surprised.

Some physicians/HMOs will scribble something on the card, which makes it appear you had it, but did not...
like "waived by attending for health reasons".