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Tanzania Yellow Fever Requirements 2026

Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from or transiting through countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission. A valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) - commonly known as the "yellow card" - must be presented at the port of entry. This requirement is strictly enforced and travellers without valid documentation may be denied entry, vaccinated on the spot, or quarantined.

Important: If you are arriving directly from a non-endemic country (e.g., UK, USA, Europe, UAE) with no transit through an endemic country, you do NOT need a yellow fever certificate. However, if your flight connects through an endemic country (e.g., Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria), you WILL need one even if you did not leave the airport.

When Is a Yellow Fever Certificate Required?

Tanzania checks yellow fever proof based on route and country-entry rules. A yellow fever certificate is required if you:

  • Arrive from an endemic country - countries with risk of yellow fever transmission
  • Transit through an endemic country - airport transit or layover of more than 12 hours
  • Have visited an endemic country in the last 10 days - based on your travel history

You do NOT need a certificate if you:

  • Arrive directly from a non-endemic country with no transit through endemic areas
  • Hold valid documentation of medical exemption
  • Are an infant under 9 months (vaccination not recommended by WHO)

Countries That Trigger the Requirement

If you are arriving from or transiting through any of these countries, you must have a valid yellow fever certificate:

Africa

  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Congo (Brazzaville)
  • Congo (DRC)
  • Cote d'Ivoire
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Togo
  • Uganda

South America

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Venezuela

Common Transit Hubs

  • Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - Ethiopian Airlines hub
  • Nairobi (Kenya) - Kenya Airways hub
  • Lagos/Abuja (Nigeria)
  • Kigali (Rwanda) - RwandAir hub

If connecting through these airports, check the latest airline and Tanzania entry rules. CDC notes the Tanzania requirement applies to longer transits through yellow-fever-risk countries.

About the Yellow Fever Vaccine

DetailInformation
Vaccine Name17D strain (live attenuated) - brands include YF-VAX, Stamaril
Doses RequiredSingle dose
When to Get VaccinatedAt least 10 days before travel (takes 10 days to become effective)
Certificate ValidityLifetime (since July 2016, previously 10 years)
Minimum Age9 months (6 months in outbreak situations)
Cost$50-$200 depending on country and clinic (often covered by travel health insurance)
Side EffectsMild headache, muscle pain, low-grade fever in 10-30% of recipients; serious reactions extremely rare
ContraindicationsInfants under 6 months, severe egg allergy, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women (relative)

Where to Get Vaccinated

Yellow fever vaccination must be administered at an approved yellow fever vaccination centre that can issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).

By Country

  • United Kingdom: NHS travel clinics, MASTA clinics, Boots Travel Health, Superdrug Health Clinics. Cost: approximately 60-85 GBP. Book at least 2 weeks before travel.
  • United States: Authorized vaccination centres listed on the CDC website (wwwnc.cdc.gov). CVS MinuteClinic, Passport Health, and some hospital travel clinics. Cost: $150-$350.
  • Canada: Designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres listed by PHAC. Travel health clinics and some pharmacies. Cost: $150-$250 CAD.
  • India: Authorized centres at major government hospitals and international airports. Cost: approximately 300-500 INR at government centres.
  • Australia: Approved vaccination centres listed on the Department of Health website. Travel doctors and some GPs. Cost: $100-$200 AUD.
  • UAE/Dubai: DHA-approved travel clinics and hospitals. Cost: 200-400 AED.

Always verify the clinic is authorized to issue the official yellow card. Vaccination given at non-authorized centres may not be recognized at the border.

The Yellow Card (ICVP)

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is a small yellow booklet that serves as your official proof of vaccination. Key points:

  • Format: Standardized WHO format, yellow booklet with personal details and vaccination record
  • Validity: Valid for life since July 11, 2016 (previously required renewal every 10 years). Old certificates with 10-year validity are now automatically valid for life.
  • Information Recorded: Your name, date of birth, vaccine name, batch number, date of vaccination, stamp and signature of administering centre
  • When Valid: Becomes effective 10 days after vaccination for first-time recipients
  • Keep Safe: This is an important travel document. Carry it with your passport. If lost, contact the clinic where you were vaccinated for a replacement.

Exemptions

Certain individuals may be exempt from the yellow fever vaccination requirement:

  • Infants under 9 months: Vaccination is not recommended by WHO
  • Medical contraindications: Severe egg allergy, immunodeficiency (HIV with low CD4), thymus disorders, or other medical conditions certified by a physician
  • Pregnant women: May receive a medical waiver (relative contraindication)
  • Elderly travellers over 60: May receive a waiver if first-time vaccination is medically inadvisable (increased risk of adverse effects)

If you cannot receive the vaccine, obtain a Medical Exemption Letter from an authorized vaccination centre. The letter must be in English, on official letterhead, and clearly state the medical reason. Present this at the border. Note: Tanzanian immigration officers have discretion and may still impose quarantine measures.

Yellow Fever in Tanzania

CDC classifies yellow fever vaccination as generally not recommended for Tanzania, but route-based entry rules still apply:

  • Risk Areas: Parts of western Tanzania bordering DRC and Burundi have the highest risk
  • Urban Areas: Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and major cities have low but non-zero risk due to the presence of Aedes mosquitoes
  • Zanzibar: Considered lower risk, but the certificate requirement still applies for travellers from endemic countries
  • Recent Cases: Tanzania reports sporadic cases but no major outbreaks in recent years
  • CDC recommendation: Yellow fever vaccination is generally not recommended for Tanzania, but may be considered for some travellers based on itinerary, mosquito exposure, and medical risk factors

Tip: If your route does not trigger the entry requirement, ask a travel-health clinician whether vaccination is appropriate for your itinerary and health history.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. If you fly directly from a non-endemic country with no transit through an endemic country, you do not need a yellow fever certificate to enter Tanzania. CDC says yellow fever vaccination is generally not recommended for Tanzania, but a travel-health clinician can advise based on your itinerary and risk factors.

Yes. Both Ethiopia and Kenya are classified as yellow fever endemic countries. Even if you remain in the airport, Tanzanian immigration may require proof of vaccination. To avoid any issues, get vaccinated before travel and carry your yellow card.

Since July 2016, the yellow fever certificate is valid for life. A single dose provides lifelong immunity. Old certificates that show a 10-year validity period are now automatically considered valid for life under WHO regulations.

Immigration officers may vaccinate you on the spot (at the airport health facility), quarantine you for up to 6 days, or in some cases deny entry. To avoid disruption to your travel plans, always get vaccinated before departure if required.

Yes. The yellow fever vaccine has been in use since 1937 and is considered safe and highly effective. Mild side effects (headache, muscle pain, low fever) occur in about 10-30% of recipients. Serious adverse events are extremely rare (less than 1 in 250,000 doses). Consult your doctor if you have egg allergies or immune system conditions.

Children aged 9 months and older need the vaccine if travelling from or through an endemic country. Children under 9 months are exempt. Consult your pediatrician or travel-health clinician before travel, especially if your route includes a yellow-fever-risk country.

Quick Facts

  • Required: If arriving from endemic country
  • Certificate: Valid for life
  • Vaccine: Single dose
  • Effective: 10 days after vaccination
  • Cost: $50-$350 (varies by country)
  • Min Age: 9 months