Objecting to carry a Covid vaccination document as proof of safe to travel is currently an interesting topic?
And, writing here I am talking international travel. Rather than travel within the UK or for qualifying for trips to the pub!
As many are desiring holidays to popular areas of Africa for instance. The fact that you may be required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter any number of such countries somehow does not seem trouble most.
Personally, I have carried a yellow fever certificate (3 in all) in my passport for over thirty years.
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Covid vaccination certificates will be needed soon.
If it means that I have to carry something similar and it allows me to travel again post Coronavirus. I honestly would have no objection.
Hence when you add in Covid-19 into the mix. Travelling anywhere is surely going to require perhaps some form of pass or certificate in order to get us going anywhere?
Covid vaccination certificates could help to clear travel log jam.
One could say that as a citizen of the world. Do I even need a passport? However, we all carry them if we travel. It’s a fact of life.
As an international traveller reassuring other countries and their populations is overall a good thing for an individual to do?
Keeping Others Safe As You Go With Covid Vaccination Certificates
Keeping other people safe and letting them know. That I am safe too!
I would be happy to do that as a working travel writer or as a holiday maker for the greater good of us all!
Qatar Airways have today announced that they made the first 100% vaccinated flight. Carrying passengers and crew. All whom have had their jabs on one of their new Airbus A350 aircraft flying out of Qatar.
Qatar A350 flew with 100% vaccinated crew and passengers. Perhaps with Covid vaccination certificates?
Carrying a vaccination certificate is surely another way of freeing the log-jam in international travel. Be that by land, sea or air.
Returning to yellow fever. And, perhaps wanting to take a safari holiday in Kenya? Or climb mount Kilimanjaro just over the border in Tanzania?
Being wise you may need to double check your medical records situation before you set off to those countries you plan to visit.
For it is possible to fall foul of the yellow fever regulations. For instance, if for some reason, you have been an extra-long time in transiting at an airport in an infected country.
Overstay At Your PerilWorld Health Organisation (WHO) experts say 12 hours it is thought of being a very low risk of being infected. But over-staying or leaving the airport building itself. Could get you into trouble at your next destination.
Yellow Fever Certificate keeping you safe on course. Covid vaccination certificates to follow soon?
Kenya’s requirements : A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age. Arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
There is a general yellow fever vaccine recommendation for Kenya anyway. But not all do get the jab.
Yellow fever wise for travel within Kenya. Generally in the popular tourist areas then it’s not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to the following areas:
The entire North Eastern Province. The states of Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Malindi and Tana river in the Coastal Province. Plus the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa.
Although the country itself does appear on an infection control list that India has drawn up. It regards Kenya as a potential risk. As the ‘WHO’ has it on a list showing that transmission is possible there.
India Clear Of Yellow FeverIndia who currently does not have endemic yellow fever. However, it does have a long list of countries where it bans travel from.
Showing arrival by air or sea from a country on their listing. Then it could be a potential health risk problem. And entry rejected. Reading the small print is certainly something worth doing no matter where you are travelling.
Their regulations state:
Anyone (except infants up to the age of 6months ) arriving by air or sea without a yellow fever vaccination certificate is detained in isolation for up to 6 days if that person (i) arrives within 6 days of departure from an area with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Or (ii) has been in such an area in transit (except those passengers and members of the crew who, while in transit through an airport situated in an area with risk of yellow fever transmission, remained within the airport premises during the period of their entire stay and the Health Officer agrees to such exemption).
Or (iii) arrives on a ship that started from or touched at any port in an area with risk of yellow fever transmission up to 30days before its arrival in India. Unless such a ship has been disinsected (often mixed up with the phrase disinfection) in accordance with the procedure laid down by WHO.
Or (iv) arrives on an aircraft that has been in an area with risk of yellow fever transmission and has not been disinsected in accordance with the Indian Aircraft Public Health Rules, 1954, or a s recommended by WHO.
List Where Transmission Is PossibleThe following quite long Indian list are regarded by WHO as countries and areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Map showing Yellow Fever vaccination areas of Africa. (© WHO)
Africa:
Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte dʼ Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea‐Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda.
Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela (Boliva).
India will also add countries to their list. Should a new case of yellow fever be identified. If they consider a risk of yellow fever transmission there they will add it.
Covid Vaccination Certificates Needed?Travelling and Covid-19 as we have already found out is still very much an unknown.
One country opens up and suddenly infection rates climb and travel halted. Or variations in the virus itself that cause a city or further country-wide outbreaks.
Yellow Fever. Mosquito feeding on blood. (Pic by: James Gathany, Pubic Domain)
Brazil is currently today dealing with a Covid virus variation that is killing thousands daily.
Yellow fever virus is also a deadly disease around the world and is in Brazil too. But with a very different vector than Covid. Mosquitos!
Map showing Yellow Fever vaccination areas of South America. (© WHO)
Transmission of yellow fever around the globe is currently restricted to the tropical areas. Whereas as Covid-19 has sought both warmer and the colder climes too.
Yellow fever symptoms are headache, fever, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. A small proportion of patients who contract the virus develop severe symptoms. And approximately half of those die within 7 to 10 days.
50% of unvaccinated people catching yellow fever…die!
The yellow fever virus is endemic in tropical areas of much of Africa, Central and South America. In un-vaccinated populations around 50% lose their lives!
Covid Has Infected Most Of The WorldHowever, Covid is admittedly, less severe. But its virtually infected the whole world and not just a part of it?
Perhaps, for a few years these Covid-19 vaccinated certificates will be required. Then allowing us to travel the whole world again and not just around a bit of it.
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate issued in UK. (CC Image)
Having some form of certificate to tell others that I am safe for travel. Be that Covid-19 or Yellow fever. I do not see the difference.
Unable to travel for the last year was the price we paid. However, many lost much more than that in the process. Their lives!
Keeping others and myself safe until we have cracked this issue. If it requires an extra sheet of paper in my passport?
Well, I will settle for that travel option!
World Health Organisation Keeping An Eye On Virus TransmissionsAccording to The World Health Organisation. Yellow fever vaccination is carried out for different purposes:
To prevent the international spread of the disease. By protecting countries from the risk of importing or spreading the yellow fever virus. These are requirements established by the country.The countries that require proof of vaccination are those. Where the disease may or may not occur. And where the mosquito vector and potential non‐human primate hosts of yellow fever are present.Any importation of the virus into such countries by infected travellers could result in its propagation. And establishment, leading to a permanent risk of infection for the human population.Proof of vaccination is often required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. And sometimes for travellers in transit through such countries. A meeting of yellow fever experts organized in 2010 proposed. That under 12 hours of airport transit the risk of yellow fever is almost non‐existent. And therefore, that a proof of vaccination might not be necessary.
It should be noted that some countries require proof of vaccination from all travellers.
Countries requiring yellow fever vaccination for entry do so in accordance with the International Health Regulations.
Please note entry requirements are subject to change at any time.
Further useful notes:
The fact that a country has no requirement for yellow fever vaccination does not imply that there is no risk of yellow fever transmission.
To protect individual travellers who may be exposed to yellow fever infection. The risk of yellow fever transmission depends on the presence of the virus in the country in humans, mosquitoes or animals.
As yellow fever is frequently fatal for those who have not been vaccinated. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers (with few exceptions,). Visiting areas where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission.
WHO determines those areas where “a risk of yellow fever transmission is present”. On the basis of the diagnosis of cases of yellow fever in humans and/or animals. The results of yellow fever sero‐surveys (checking for the presence of antibodies among the population) and the presence of vectors and animal reservoirs?
Decisions regarding the use of yellow fever vaccine for travellers must weigh several factors. Including the risk of travel‐associated yellow fever virus disease, country requirements. And the potential for serious adverse events following yellow fever vaccination.
WHO’s revised recommendations for yellow fever vaccination for travellers.
Yellow fever vaccination category:
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all over the age of 9 months. In areas where there is evidence of persistent or periodic yellow fever virus transmission.
Although it’s not recommended for areas with low potential yellow fever virus transmission with no human cases reported. Other factors could be individual risks. Or having an adverse reaction to the vaccination itself.
Countries Requiring Certificates To Travel List of Countries requiring Yellow Fever Certificates ( Most are currently in Africa ) :
AngolaBurundiCameroonCentral African RepublicCongo, Republic ofCote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)Democratic Republic of CongoFrench GuianaGabonGhanaGuinea-BissauLiberiaMaliNigerSierra LeoneTogoUganda
