Tanzania Yellow Fever Requirements 2026

Tanzania follows WHO International Health Regulations. 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 - even airport transit of 12+ hours (some officials enforce for any transit)
• 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)

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

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 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.

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.

Tanzania is classified as having a risk of yellow fever transmission in certain areas, though cases are rare:

• 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
• WHO Recommendation: WHO recommends yellow fever vaccination for all travellers aged 9 months and older visiting Tanzania, regardless of the entry requirement

Tip: Even if you don't technically need the certificate for entry, getting vaccinated is recommended by WHO for your own protection. The vaccine provides excellent, lifelong immunity.