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FAQs new certificates documenting yellow fever vaccination

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13 March 2008

FAQ new certificates documenting yellow fever vaccination

On 15 June 2007 the new International Health Regulations (IHR (2005)) came into force [1]. This was an important milestone in public health, providing a framework for improved recognition and prevention of international public health emergencies.

With implementation of IHR (2005), there was a change to the documentation of vaccination against yellow fever for international travel. The current certificates used for yellow fever vaccination, known as Port 37 forms, were replaced by the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) as of 15 June 2007, as decreed by the World Health Organization (WHO) [2]. At present, the only disease designated under IHR (2005) for which proof of vaccination or prophylaxis may be required of travellers as a condition of entry, is yellow fever.

Ordering International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Where do YFVCs in Scotland and Northern Ireland order certificates?

Validity of certificates

Q. Why have the certificates changed format?

A. The new format ICVP has been designed by the WHO. The certificate enables documentation of vaccines or prophylaxis that are currently required under IHR (2005) or that may be required in the future.

Q. Is the old certificate still valid?

A: Yes, if issued before 15 June 2007. The old format certificate (Port 37) issued before 15 June 2007 remains valid for 10 years. In addition it is likely that inspecting authorities for WHO Member States will consider old certificates that have been issued between 15 June 2007 and 15 December 2007 as proof of immunity to yellow fever. 15 December 2007 is the date when all yellow fever vaccinations are to be recorded in the new ICVP. The acceptance of any yellow fever (YF) certificates issued to individuals after the IHR (2005) enter into force is a matter for the State Party or individual country [3].

New style certificates are now available in the United Kingdom (UK). In all circumstances, these should now be used to document YF vaccination.

Q. Following administration of YF vaccine, when does the certificate become valid?

A. Where a person is receiving the vaccine for the first time, the certificate becomes valid 10 days after the vaccine is given. See the illustration below.

If re-vaccination occurs within 10 years of a previous vaccine and a Port 37 certificate (or other official certificate documenting YF vaccination) is in the traveller’s possession, the new certificate is valid immediately. If the traveller is due to depart within 10 days of re-vaccination, it is suggested that either details of the previous YF vaccination are entered on the new certificate, OR the traveller carries their original Port 37 in addition to their new certificate.

Q: Is it necessary to provide a new certificate to travellers who were vaccinated and issued with the old version between 15 June 2007 and 15 December 2007?

A: It is not mandatory to provide the traveller with a new certificate. However, if the traveller requests it a new ICVP it can be provided, assuming that all the necessary information is available, i.e. date of vaccination, manufacturer and batch number of the vaccine. It is important that the re-issuing practitioner is satisfied that the vaccine was given. The new certificate should show the date of the original vaccination, not the re-issue date.

Completing the certificate

Q. Who can sign the certificate?

A. The certificate must be signed in the hand of the clinician, who shall be a medical practitioner or other authorised health worker, supervising the administration of the vaccine. Further information about this can be found in the NaTHNaC Yellow Fever Information Pack

http://www.nathnac.org/pro/documents/YFInfoPack.pdf

Q. Can other vaccinations be recorded on the International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis?

A: Yellow fever is currently the only disease specifically designated under IHR (2005) for which proof of vaccination may be required as a condition of entry. When administering this vaccine, the clinician must write 'yellow fever’ in the space provided on the certificate (see illustration above).

The certificate pages should not be used for other diseases (e.g. meningococcal disease or polio) for which some countries have requirements. However, there is space on subsequent pages in the new certificate in which to record other vaccines separately. Please see link to sample ICVP (281KB PDF).

Q. The front of the certificate has a place for 'Passport Number or travel document number'. What does this mean?

A. Travellers can add their passport number on the certificate if they wish. They do not need to bring their passport with them to the appointment. However, if they have changed their name and are requesting a duplicate certificate or a new certificate in their new name, they will need to bring their passport tin order to verify the new details.

Q. Is it necessary to include the brand name of the vaccine anywhere on the certificate?

A. This is not required. You should record the manufacturer and batch number of the vaccine only in the space provided

Q. Is it necessary to include the expiry date of the vaccine anywhere on the certificate?

A. The expiry date of the vaccine is currently not required on the certificate. You should record the manufacturer and batch number of the vaccine only in the space provided.

Q. What is a national identification (ID) document?

A. Citizens of some countries are issued with a national identification document/card. The new certificate has been developed for universal use and documentation of national ID is more applicable to those who are nationals of such countries. There is currently no equivalent to a national ID document/card in the UK and therefore, this space should be left blank for British citizens.

Some British travellers may wish to note their passport number here, but this is not essential.

Q. When does the certificate become valid? (see above)

Q. Can I use the old stamp on the new certificates?

A. Older style stamps may be too large to fit the space provided on the new certificate. Although it may be necessary to use the old stamp in the short term, all YFVCs should purchase a new, smaller sized stamp as soon as possible [4].

Further supplies

Q. Where do we get hold of more copies of the certificate?

A. YFVCs will receive a corresponding number of ICVPs with each order of YF vaccine placed with Sanofi Pasteur MSD (UKYFVC ID number required in order to place a vaccine order).

Additional supplies may be obtained from the NHS Response Line on 0870 155 5455 [5].

There is no charge for these certificates.

Ordering International Certificates of Vaccination or Prophylaxis in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Q. Where do YFVCs in Scotland and Northern Ireland order certificates?

A. YFVCs in Scotland can order supplies of certificates from Health Protection Scotland (HPS) online at http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/yellowfever/index.aspx or by calling the Travel Health Section (yellow fever) on 0141 300 1948.

YFVCs in Northern Ireland can order supplies of certificates from the NHS Response Line by calling 0870 155 5455.

References

1. WHO International Health Regulations 2005

http://www.who.int/features/qa/39/en/index.html

2. WHO International Travel and Health 2007 pgs 143 – 144 http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241580397_

6_eng.pdf

3. WHO Note regarding the issuance of International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/ICVPtransitionadvice.pdf

4. Guidelines for Yellow Fever Vaccination stamps 2007 http://www.nathnac.org/pro/news/documents/Appendix1AYFVC

StampGuidelines2007.pdf

5. NaTHNaC News item 16 October 2007 http://www.nathnac.org/pro/news/YellowFeverCertificates

161007.htm