Yellow Fever Medical Waiver for Tanzania?

[dcinmb]

My mom and I will be traveling from Kenya to Tanzania later this year. My mom's been told that the yellow fever vaccine is not recommended for people aged 60+ and that a waiver will suffice. Has anyone had any recent experience entering Tanzania with a yellow fever medical waiver?

 

Thank you!

 

Diana

[mef_57]

I have several years' experience of Tanzania travel.  As in many countries, Tanzania is askinf for vaccine to avoid it entering into their country - not protect your mother. Generally, the waiver is acceptable.  As to whether your mom should have it or not should be determined with a travel expert. Age shouldn't be the only consideration for not taking the vaccine. Does she want to travel to the Amazon of places with yellow fever rish?  If so, then it is worth having for her own protection.

If anyone wants to be a global traveler, then having this is worthwhile.  It used to be a 10 year immunization but it is now recognized to be effective for life.

Some countries will deny entry if you have traveled in Yellow Fever area without immunization.

Hmm.  Bearing this in mind, your itinerary may determine whether they will allow her in or not.  If a previous port/country is recognized as a yellow fever zone, then risks are heightened that a waiver may not stand.

Edited April 30, 2019 by mef_57

[dcinmb]

I agree. We'd like her to get the vaccine (she's in her 80s but fit and healthy) but we've spoken to several local travel immunization clinics, including the county public health department, and they won't give it to her because of potential side effects. In our minds, any potential side effects (I got my vaccination yesterday and have experienced none) are preferable to the prospect of actually getting yellow fever.

[mef_57]

Well, at 80, then yes, reaction risks are higher. Get the waiver. Tanz immigration is quite familiar with them.

Given that this is a cruise forum, then exposure in other coi tries should be slight

Here is the yellow fever risk map. You will see Africa coast is not high risk https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/maps/africa.html

If you plan some long term on land visits, that might be another thing.

It isn't that easy to contract.

[dcinmb]

We do cruise quite a bit but this particular trip isn't a cruise. We'll have six days in Kenya (Nairobi, Lewa Conservancy, Amboseli) before we venture into Tanzania for a week, then back to Kenya. In hindsight, we should've started our trip in Tanzania but it's too late now!

[mef_57]

Ah, in that case, I would move this discussion to Tripadvisor Tanzania forum. They are a knowledgable group.

Mom can only work on preventing mosquito bites. Long sleeves and pants day and night. Particularly protect ankles and legs during dinners and particularly if in a camp.  I prefer DEET while others pretreat their clothing with Picaridin. If traveling dry season, numbers of mosquitos should be down. They tend to spray tents and rooms while you are at di ner....and use your mosquito netting.

It is a lovely part of the world. Have a great time.

[dcinmb]

Thank you for all of your advice, mef_57. I did a search on the TripAdvisor Tanzania forum yesterday but found very little recent info re: the yellow fever waiver for those aged 60+. I assumed, perhaps erroneously, that this may be because TripAdvisor posters tend to skew younger, so I decided to post here on CC instead, but agree that it would be worthwhile to post on TripAdvisor as well.

 

Our local travel clinic advised us to make liberal use of both 100% DEET and Picaridin, as well as Permethrin-treated clothing. Fortunately, we will be there during dry season.

 

Thanks again!

Edited May 1, 2019 by dcinmb

[sailco]

 

6 minutes ago, dcinmb said:

Thank you for all of your advice, mef_57. I did a search on the TripAdvisor Tanzania forum yesterday but found very little recent info re: the yellow fever waiver for those aged 60+. I assumed, perhaps erroneously, that this may be because TripAdvisor posters tend to skew younger, so I decided to post here on CC instead, but agree that it would be worthwhile to post on TripAdvisor as well.

 

Our local travel clinic advised us to make liberal use of both 100% DEET and Picaridin, as well as Permethrin-treated clothing. Fortunately, we will be there during dry season.

 

Thanks again!

 

Don't forget anti malaria medication. You don't ever want to get malaria, but there are some very nasty forms of it in Africa.

 

We had yellow fever vaccinations when we visted Sth America a few years ago. At the time we were both over 60, my husband was just 70. The specialist travel doctor took into account our general state of health and any existing conditions before we were vaccinated. Neither of us had any side effects but I can understand it's a difficult decison at 80.

 

The yellow fever vaccination is interesting because many countries like Tanzania and even Australia require you to have it if you've been travelling in a country where yellow fever is prevalent. 

 

But hey.....travelling, exploring the world and adventurous at 80..... I hope I am too.

Have a wonderful holiday.

[mef_57]

1 hour ago, dcinmb said:

Thank you for all of your advice, mef_57. I did a search on the TripAdvisor Tanzania forum yesterday but found very little recent info re: the yellow fever waiver for those aged 60+. I assumed, perhaps erroneously, that this may be because TripAdvisor posters tend to skew younger, so I decided to post here on CC instead, but agree that it would be worthwhile to post on TripAdvisor as well.

 

Our local travel clinic advised us to make liberal use of both 100% DEET and Picaridin, as well as Permethrin-treated clothing. Fortunately, we will be there during dry season.

 

Thanks again!

I used to be very frequent on the TA forum as I was there on and off.  I check in infrequently but some of the regulars are not young.  I notice a lot more local tour operators posting there but my old Tanzania and birding 'penpal' is 85 and still does his almost annual trips with a vehicle and driver.  If not Tanzania, then other African countries and DIY month long trips.  He did get his last Yellow Fever booster just before 80 and when they decided it was a lifelong vaccine.  There are also other older folks and those more in your age bracket. Give it a try.

Also as mentioned, malaria meds are more important.  It is a disease more likely caught than yellow fever....though risks are low with precautions.

As mentioned, numerous countries want the YF certificate on entry and I think Australia is even more stringent that most. 

You might also ask in the TripAdvisor Kenya forum about entry to Tanzania - as they have more yellow fever occurrence.

Good luck.  You'll have a trip of a lifetime.

[Mrs f.]

We were just on a cruise that stopped in Mombassa and Tanzania (Dar). When we boarded we were told that Kenyan authorities  were requiring  yellow fever vaccinations.  No mention that we needed one for Tanzania.  CDC doesn't recomm for over 60. But were were in a bind. We already spent money for visa and tour. Contacted  my primary doc who said it shouldn't be a problem  but he would email a medical exemption to ship if I felt so strongly. Other people bought letters on  board with them and they had no issue.

[dcinmb]

On 5/1/2019 at 3:30 AM, sailco said:

Don't forget anti malaria medication. You don't ever want to get malaria, but there are some very nasty forms of it in Africa.

 

We had yellow fever vaccinations when we visted Sth America a few years ago. At the time we were both over 60, my husband was just 70. The specialist travel doctor took into account our general state of health and any existing conditions before we were vaccinated. Neither of us had any side effects but I can understand it's a difficult decison at 80.

 

The yellow fever vaccination is interesting because many countries like Tanzania and even Australia require you to have it if you've been travelling in a country where yellow fever is prevalent. 

 

But hey.....travelling, exploring the world and adventurous at 80..... I hope I am too.

Have a wonderful holiday.

 

On 5/1/2019 at 5:14 AM, mef_57 said:

I used to be very frequent on the TA forum as I was there on and off.  I check in infrequently but some of the regulars are not young.  I notice a lot more local tour operators posting there but my old Tanzania and birding 'penpal' is 85 and still does his almost annual trips with a vehicle and driver.  If not Tanzania, then other African countries and DIY month long trips.  He did get his last Yellow Fever booster just before 80 and when they decided it was a lifelong vaccine.  There are also other older folks and those more in your age bracket. Give it a try.

Also as mentioned, malaria meds are more important.  It is a disease more likely caught than yellow fever....though risks are low with precautions.

As mentioned, numerous countries want the YF certificate on entry and I think Australia is even more stringent that most. 

You might also ask in the TripAdvisor Kenya forum about entry to Tanzania - as they have more yellow fever occurrence.

Good luck.  You'll have a trip of a lifetime.

 

Thanks, sailco and mef_57! Anti-malarials (Malarone) are definitely on our list, as are Typhoid pills. We're also stocking up on some Insect Shield Permethrin-treated clothing and hats. And about a month before our trip, we'll start taking Vitamin B-1, the efficacy of which as a mosquito repellent is still unproven, but it sure worked for me the three years I lived in Tokyo.

 

3 hours ago, Mrs f. said:

We were just on a cruise that stopped in Mombassa and Tanzania (Dar). When we boarded we were told that Kenyan authorities  were requiring  yellow fever vaccinations.  No mention that we needed one for Tanzania.  CDC doesn't recomm for over 60. But were were in a bind. We already spent money for visa and tour. Contacted  my primary doc who said it shouldn't be a problem  but he would email a medical exemption to ship if I felt so strongly. Other people bought letters on  board with them and they had no issue.

 

Thank you, Mrs f. That's a relief to hear that exemption letters were sufficient. We'll also be sure to get the travel clinic to stamp the yellow fever waiver section of the yellow ICVP card. It's my understanding that both Kenya and Tanzania require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you're coming from a country with a known risk (like, for example, Kenya!). 

[4774Papa]

We had the Yellow Fever vaccination back in 2011 prior to going to South America.  It said it was good for 10 years.

 

We are going to Kenya and Tanzania in 2020 for a Safari, pushing the 10 years.  However, I read somewhere that the vaccination was good for life, not 10 years.   Anyway, we are in our early 70s, so hopefully we don't need another vaccination for YF.

[dcinmb]

9 minutes ago, 4774Papa said:

We had the Yellow Fever vaccination back in 2011 prior to going to South America.  It said it was good for 10 years.

 

We are going to Kenya and Tanzania in 2020 for a Safari, pushing the 10 years.  However, I read somewhere that the vaccination was good for life, not 10 years.   Anyway, we are in our early 70s, so hopefully we don't need another vaccination for YF.

 

When I got my Stamaril injection a few weeks ago, I was told that it's good for life. Per the CDC, a booster dose is not needed for "most people."

 

https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/vaccine/vaccine-recommendations.html

[Cotswold Eagle]

On 5/16/2019 at 10:52 PM, 4774Papa said:

We had the Yellow Fever vaccination back in 2011 prior to going to South America.  It said it was good for 10 years.

 

We are going to Kenya and Tanzania in 2020 for a Safari, pushing the 10 years.  However, I read somewhere that the vaccination was good for life, not 10 years.   Anyway, we are in our early 70s, so hopefully we don't need another vaccination for YF.

The World Health Organisation changed the guidance in 2016 and a single dose is now valid for life. Existing certificates with a ten year limit are accepted as proof for life.