Yellow Fever Vaccination is important for tourists visiting East African countries especially when travelling to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda. This vaccination is important for protecting travellers against yellow fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease that is rampant in Sub-Saharan Africa and South American countries.
This vaccination is only available in injectable form and immunity begins developing within 10 days in addition to 99% of being protected within one month of vaccination. The lifelong vaccination can control the infection of this disease and on top of the vaccine, travelers are advised to use additional protection measures such as using mosquito nests and repellents.
Symptoms of yellow fever disease range from mild symptoms that include headache, fever, skin rashes, muscle pains, nausea, abdominal pains and vomiting to severe symptoms that include hemorrhagic fever and Hepatitis. Yellow fever doesn’t exist throughout the globe but the vaccination is crucial because of high mortality rate associated with the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also advocates for vaccination in all countries where the yellow fever disease is common. This vaccination was introduced in 1938 on WHO’s list of essential vaccines and is administered to babies between 9 and 12 months of age. The vaccine is safe, even in pregnant women and persons living with HIV and has to be administered at least 10 days before the actual date of travel.
Most East African countries demand for proof of yellow fever vaccination as a prerequisite for entry into these destinations. You will be given an International yellow fever vaccination certificate (or yellow card) as a proof of being vaccinated/or immunized. This will be presented at all International points of entry to the different yellow fever-prone countries.
The yellow fever vaccine can be effective for a person’s whole life although boosters are recommended after every 10 years. However, some countries still demand for proof of yellow fever vaccination within the last 5-10 years before being granted entry into that country.
Where to receive Yellow Fever Vaccination for East Africa?
Yellow fever Vaccination can only be administered at registered Centers such as Passport Health Offices and on completing the vaccination, you will be provided a yellow card (or International Certificate of Vaccination). This vaccination certificate has to be signed and validated by an Official Stamp.
Other ways to prevent Yellow fever.
Vaccination is still the best and safest way to prevent yellow fever infections but other precautions have to be taken when visiting areas that are prone to yellow fever.
Travelers are therefore advised to follow the following guidelines to prevent mosquito bites in these areas;
Wear appropriate clothing.
When traveling to mosquito-infested areas, make sure to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, gardening gloves and socks when undertaking outdoor activities, especially in the evening hours.
Spraying your clothing with repellents such as permethrin also offer extra protection against mosquito bites.
Sleep under insecticide – treated mosquito nets.
Sleeping under insecticide-treated mosquito nests not only protects you from mosquito bites that would lead to yellow fever infection but also offer comfortable sleep from the irritating sound of mosquitoes.
Use insect repellent.
Insect repellents such as lemon eucalyptus oils, DEET and Picaridin are used for protection against insect bites.
Be aware of peak time of mosquito bites.
The Peak time for mosquito bites are at dawn and dusk, thus to protect yourself make sure to wear long sleeved shirts, pants and caps.
