Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes in tropical regions of Africa and South America. It is potentially fatal, has no specific antiviral treatment, and—critically—many countries in endemic regions require proof of yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry. Encino Commons Urgent Care and Encino Town Medical Group is an authorized Yellow Fever Vaccination Center, providing this required vaccine to travelers throughout the Encino area and San Fernando Valley with appropriate documentation for international travel.

What Is Yellow Fever?

Yellow fever is caused by the yellow fever virus, a flavivirus transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical Africa and South America. The disease is named for the jaundice (yellowing of the skin) that can occur in severe cases due to liver involvement. Yellow fever ranges from mild flu-like illness to a severe, potentially fatal disease involving liver failure, hemorrhage, and multi-organ failure.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for yellow fever—prevention through vaccination is the only reliable protection. The yellow fever vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines in existence: a single dose provides lifelong protection in the vast majority of recipients.

Who Needs the Yellow Fever Vaccine?

Travelers to Vaccination-Required Countries

Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South America require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry—particularly for travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic. This requirement is enforced at the point of entry and travelers without proof of vaccination may be vaccinated at the border or denied entry.

Travelers to High-Risk Destinations

Even in countries that do not require the vaccine as an entry requirement, the CDC and WHO recommend yellow fever vaccination for travelers visiting areas where yellow fever transmission is occurring. The risk map changes based on ongoing surveillance data—our providers review current CDC travel notices to confirm the risk for your specific itinerary.

Countries That Require Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination

Requirements change periodically, but countries that commonly require vaccination include Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Togo, and others in West and Central Africa, as well as Bolivia, Ecuador, and others in South America. Travelers should verify current requirements for their specific destination before travel.

The International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card)

Proof of yellow fever vaccination must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)—commonly called a yellow card. The certificate is only valid when issued by an authorized vaccination center and stamped with the center’s official stamp. As an authorized Yellow Fever Vaccination Center, Encino Commons Urgent Care provides the official yellow card documentation required for international travel.

As of 2016, the CDC updated its guidance to reflect that a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine is sufficient for lifelong protection for most travelers—booster doses are no longer routinely required.

Who Should NOT Receive the Yellow Fever Vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine contains a live attenuated virus and is contraindicated in certain populations:

• Infants under six months of age
• Individuals with immunocompromising conditions or who are on immunosuppressive therapy
• Those with severe egg allergies
• Adults over 60 who have never been vaccinated (higher risk of rare serious adverse events—discuss risk-benefit with our provider)
• Pregnant women (generally contraindicated; discuss with provider if travel is unavoidable)

Travelers who are contraindicated for the vaccine may be eligible for a medical waiver letter. Our providers can discuss this option for patients who are planning travel to countries that require vaccination but who have contraindications.

How Far in Advance Should You Get the Yellow Fever Vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine should be administered at least ten days before departure. This is both the period required for immunity to develop and the requirement for the international certificate to be valid—the yellow card is not officially valid until ten days after vaccination.

Encino Commons Urgent Care is an authorized Yellow Fever Vaccination Center serving Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, and the surrounding San Fernando Valley. To schedule your yellow fever vaccination, book an appointment online or walk in today.