Yellow fever from Tanzania to Zanzibar
 

My husband and I will be travelling from Tanz to Zanz in October and I really don't want to get a YF vaccination. My question is: Do you think we'll need it to get to Zanzibar? Should we take something in writing that YF is no longer required for Zanz?
We're supposed to get the shots tomorrow and I'm starting to panic!
Please help!!

Dear Didibobi: I've just returned from a 2 week trip to Tanzania - in particular to Dar es Salaam, Selous Safari Camp, Mwagusi and Zanzibar. While we had the shots anyway and carried our yellow fever certificates we weren't ever asked for them. The website of the Tanzanian High Commission in Canada says no vacination is required.

YF is no longer required from transport from Tanzania mainland to Zanzibar Island. This rule was lifted in mid-2004.

But from where are you traveling? If Western countries, then there is no need for Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar or other offshore coastal islands belonging to Tanz or Kenya. If other than a Western country where YF is endemic... that's another story.

< I really don't want to get a YF vaccination. >

I'd recommend it unless it's for medical reasons that you don't want it. Most tropical diseases are extremely nasty - I hope BTW you are going to take your anti-malarials

We went ahead and had the following shots:
Yellow fever, Polio, which I was talked into by the nurse and perscriptions for Malaria and oral typhoid. I didn't need Tetanus as I had it last year.
We're off to NYC next week to get our visas. The trip is starting to become real now.