If you’re planning a trip to Africa, South America, or parts of the Caribbean, one essential item you may need, beyond your passport and plane ticket, is your yellow fever jab. At Midnight Pharmacy’s travel clinic in Bradford, we regularly help travellers prepare for their journeys with vital vaccinations, including yellow fever and other region-specific protections.

Yellow fever is a serious viral disease spread by mosquitoes, and while it’s preventable through a single dose of vaccine, some countries require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry. This blog will highlight which destinations demand a yellow fever vaccination certificate, what the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend, and which other vaccines you may need depending on your travel plans.

Here’s a guide to help you stay protected and avoid being turned away at the border.

What is the yellow fever jab?

The yellow fever vaccine is a highly effective, single-dose injection that provides life-long protection in most people. It must be administered at least 10 days before travel to be valid for entry requirements, and upon receiving the jab, you’ll be issued with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), your official proof of immunisation.

The vaccine is only available at designated centres such as our travel clinic in Bradford, which is authorised to administer the yellow fever jab and issue the necessary documentation.

Countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination

Below is a list of countries, primarily in Africa and South America, where yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. This is either due to the presence of the virus or the risk of introducing it from travellers arriving from infected areas.

Africa

Many African nations are endemic for yellow fever or require vaccination proof if you’re arriving from a high-risk area. Countries include:

• –> Ghana

• –> Nigeria

• –> Kenya

• –> Cameroon

• –> Angola

• –> Uganda

• –> Democratic Republic of Congo

• –> Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)

• –> South Sudan

• –> Burkina Faso

• –> Ethiopia (if coming from an endemic country)

Even if you’re only transiting through a high-risk country, some destinations will ask for your certificate.

South America

Although the risk is lower in urban areas, many South American countries require vaccination if you’re travelling from regions where yellow fever is present:

• –> Brazil

• –> Bolivia

• –> Colombia

• –> Peru

• –> Ecuador

• –> French Guiana

• –> Paraguay

• –> Suriname

• –> Venezuela

If you’re visiting the Amazon region or rural parts of these countries, yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended even if not officially required.

Central America and the Caribbean

A few Caribbean and Central American countries require yellow fever vaccination if arriving from high-risk zones:

• –> Panama

• –> Trinidad and Tobago

• –> Barbados

• –> Honduras (if arriving from South America or sub-Saharan Africa)

Always check the latest guidance, as country entry requirements can change with little notice. The NHS Fit for Travel website or our pharmacy team can advise you based on your specific itinerary.

What if I don’t get vaccinated?

Failure to provide proof of vaccination when required may result in being denied entry, quarantined, or refused boarding at your departure airport. Given the simplicity of the vaccine and the serious nature of the disease, this is one jab you don’t want to miss.

The yellow fever jab is also essential for protecting your health, especially if you plan to visit rural areas with a high mosquito presence.

Other travel vaccines to consider

In addition to yellow fever, many of the countries above pose a risk of other travel-related diseases. Our travel clinic in Bradford offers a full vaccination service tailored to your destination, including:

Hepatitis A and B – For countries with poor sanitation or high infection rates

Typhoid – Common in areas with unsafe water or food hygiene

Rabies – Particularly recommended for those travelling to remote areas or working with animals

Tetanus, diphtheria and polio – Often offered as a combined booster

Cholera – Recommended for aid workers or those in outbreak regions

Japanese encephalitis – For rural Asia or long-term stays near rice paddies or swamps

Malaria prevention – While not a vaccine, we also provide antimalarial tablets tailored to your destination and itinerary

Our team will assess your travel plans, medical history, and vaccine records to ensure you receive only the jabs you truly need — no more, no less.

Book your yellow fever jab in Bradford today

At Midnight Pharmacy, we make travel preparation straightforward. Whether you’re backpacking through Brazil, volunteering in Uganda, or heading to Ghana for a family visit, our experienced team is ready to support you.

We offer:

• –> Yellow fever vaccination and official certification

• –> A full range of travel vaccines under one roof

• –> Friendly, professional advice on itinerary-specific health risks

• –> Flexible appointments and fast service from our Bradford pharmacy

Don’t leave it to the last minute – yellow fever certificates only become valid 10 days after vaccination.

Get in touch with Midnight Pharmacy’s travel clinic in Bradford, and we’ll make sure you’re protected and ready to travel with confidence.

Travel safe. Stay protected. Book at Midnight Pharmacy for your yellow fever jab and more.

This blog was written on behalf of Midnight Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.