14 June 2007

Yellow fever vaccination certificates

On 15 June 2007 the new International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) will come into force. This is an important event in public health and when IHR 2005 are implemented, there should be improved recognition and prevention of both infectious and non-infectious public health emergencies worldwide [1, 2].

An immediate practical implication for health professionals practicing travel medicine is a change to the documentation of vaccination against yellow fever for international travellers [3]. The current “International certificate of vaccination or revaccination against yellow fever” will be replaced by a new document, the “International certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis”. With IHR 2005 there was a need to revise the vaccination certificate from one that was specific only to yellow fever, to one that would document prevention against any disease that could potentially be an international public health threat. However, 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, remains yellow fever [4].

Certificates in the old format and issued prior to 15 June 2007 will remain valid for 10 years. From 15 June 2007 onwards, newly issued certificates must follow what is specified in IHR 2005. NaTHNaC is working with UK health authorities to make the new format certificates available as soon as possible.

The information and the elements to assure authenticity contained in both the old and new certificates are highly compatible. Therefore, it is likely that inspecting authorities for WHO member States will consider old certificates that have been issued after 15 June 2007 as proof of immunity to yellow fever.

Details as to when and how new format certificates may be ordered will be forthcoming and posted on the NaTHNaC website.

References

1. International Health Regulations: the challenges ahead (editorial). Lancet 2007;369:1763.

2. World Health Organization. International Health Regulations (2005) 2005, World Health Organization: Geneva. p. 1-60. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/         

3. Hardiman M, Wilder-Smith A. The revised international health regulations and their relevance to travel medicine. J Travel Med 2007;14:141-4.

4. World Health Organization. International travel and health. 2007. Chapter 6. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2007. Available at: http://www.who.int/ith