What you need to know about yellow fever and if you need a vaccination:  

If you are going to Costa Rica, Panama, or Nicaragua FROM Colombia, Peru, or South Africa (or any other country in the yellow fever zone), or if you are going between Peru and Colombia you need a yellow fever vaccine and a vaccine certificate more than 10 days old. You could be refused entry into another country if you are leaving Colombia, Peru, South Africa (or any other country in the yellow fever zone) without a yellow fever vaccine certificate.

REMEMBER: We are here to help, but it is YOUR responsibility to ensure you have the correct vaccinations for your travels, with or without Free & Easy Traveler. We can not guarantee entry to any country, especially if you do not have the proper vaccinations and certificates. 

The single-dose vaccine against yellow fever is safe, effective and recommended for most people who are over nine months of age. Consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, as early as possible (preferably six weeks or more) before you travel. If you are receiving the vaccine for the first time, be aware that it takes ten days for it to become effective. 
 
For a list of countries in the yellow fever zone, please visit: http://www.who.int/ith/ith_country_list.pdf 
 
In Canada, the vaccine is available only at designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres. There is currently a shortage, please plan ahead! For more information for Canadians, please visit: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/diseases/yellow-fever 
 
 
For more information for other travelers, please ask a health care practitioner in your country about the best way to receive this vaccine before your trip. 
 
The risk of actually contracting yellow fever is low for most travellers, but it may be higher for those who are going to areas of risk and who are staying for an extended period of time, visiting rural or jungle areas, or participating in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, cycling or fieldwork.

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It is called yellow fever because most people’s symptoms include jaundice in the skin and eyes. Yellow fever can only be prevented, not treated once contracted.

Preventative measures: 

1.       Get vaccinated (and bring your certificate with you!)
2.       Guard against mosquito bites by using insect repellent, bed nets, and loose fitting, long clothes including shoes (not sandals) particularly around sunrise and sunset.

Initial symptoms usually include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, back pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness and dehydration. Most patients recover after this stage.  Symptoms can take 3 to 6 days to appear.