Yellow Fever Vaccination Required to Enter Nigeria

There is an outbreak of yellow fever in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said the U.S. CDC on March 1, 2021. The yellow fever outbreak is currently in the Nigerian states of Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu. Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever.

The CDC's Level 2, Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Alert, says 'unless vaccinated, travelers should not visit these areas in West Africa.'

Furthermore, travelers to Nigeria should take steps to prevent yellow fever by getting vaccinated at least 10 days before travel and taking steps to prevent mosquito bites, says the CDC.

The government of Nigeria requires that all travelers 9 months of age or older show proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter the country. A signed and stamped International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (“Yellow Card”) provides proof of vaccination.

However, not all Yellow Cards are valid.

“We estimate that around 80% of yellow fever travel cards in Zimbabwe are counterfeit,” said Dr. Mchechesi, a co-founder at Vaxiglobal, a travel health consultancy.

Yellow fever vaccines are currently available at a limited number of clinics in the USA. 

Talk with a health care provider if you have questions about the yellow fever vaccine. Yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for some people. If you cannot be vaccinated against yellow fever (for whatever reason), do not travel to places where yellow fever outbreaks are occurring, says the CDC.