News Archives |
Volume 4 No 20; 21 May 2010
Yellow fever vaccination requirement for some World Cup travellers
Football fans travelling to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in June on flights which transit through Nairobi, Kenya, are being alerted to a yellow fever vaccination certificate requirement affecting those arriving in South Africa on that route [1].
There is no risk of yellow fever disease in South Africa and the vaccine is not usually recommended for travel only to Nairobi. However, Kenya is considered a country with risk of yellow fever and South Africa requires an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) documenting vaccination against yellow fever [2] from travellers arriving from such countries.
Health professionals should be aware of the certificate requirement for South Africa and be prepared to discuss the risks of vaccination and appropriate options for travellers. For some travellers a letter of medical exemption will be appropriate.
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website should be consulted for other recommendations and information about health risks associated with travel to South Africa for the World Cup: www.nathnac.org.
References
1. Yellow fever certificate requirements for football fans travelling to South Africa, NaTHNaC clinical update, 20 May 2010. Available at: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/yf_rsa_200510.htm.
2. National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Travel advisory - Communicable diseases and FIFA World Cup, South Africa. Updated 13 May 2010. [Accessed 20 May 2010]. Available at: http://www.nicd.ac.za/fifa2010/A_Guide_for_World_Cup_ Visitors.pdf.