Yellow Fever in Tanzania: What You Need to Know
Quick summary
- Tanzania does not require a yellow fever certificate for most travelers.
- You will need one if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present.
- The vaccine is given as a single dose and provides lifelong protection.
- Carry your yellow fever certificate with you as proof of vaccination when required.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccine for Tanzania?
Tanzania does not require a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travelers. However, if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you will be required to show proof of vaccination on entry. This applies to travelers transiting through certain countries as well, even if just passing through the airport.
The list of countries considered yellow fever endemic includes much of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America. If your journey to Tanzania passes through any of these, carry your certificate.
Countries commonly flagged include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Zambia in Africa, and Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela in South America.
If you are traveling from or through any of these countries, your yellow fever certificate is not optional.
Getting vaccinated
The yellow fever vaccine is given as a single dose and provides lifelong protection. It needs to be administered at a certified yellow fever vaccination center, as the official international certificate, known as the yellow card, is only issued by approved providers. The vaccine should ideally be taken at least 10 days before travel to allow it to take effect.
Who should check with a doctor first
The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine and is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, infants under 9 months and people with certain immune conditions should speak to a doctor before getting vaccinated. An exemption certificate can be issued in cases where the vaccine is medically contraindicated.
A note from Dakik
Whether or not you need this vaccine depends entirely on where you are traveling from. If you are unsure, check with your nearest travel health clinic or reach out to the team before your trip. It is a simple thing to sort out in advance and not something you want to be dealing with at the airport.