Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate
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MedicalCert offers an online service for obtaining Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificates, catering to individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical reasons.
The process involves completing a brief online questionnaire and submitting a 30-second video detailing symptoms or relevant medical evidence. Registered UK doctors review the submissions, and if approved, the certificate is emailed by 9 AM the next day.
Get your medical certificate delivered straight to your inbox from £37
How It Works
Complete a short online questionnaire
No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Receive your certificate
Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.
What our patients say
Verified reviews from real MedicalCert patients
Jon
March 2025
Quick turnaround, hassle free
Good experience overall. Lots of details to provide but the interface was simple and easy to use. Turnaround time was very quick and hassle free.
Robert S.
June 2025
Same-day certificate, amended later for free
Fast, efficient service. I received my certificate the same day. When the event organisers later required specific wording I contacted MedicalCert and they updated it promptly at no extra charge.
Robert S.
June 2025
Fast, efficient — amended later for free
Fast, efficient service. Certificate the same day. When the event required specific wording, MedicalCert updated it promptly at no extra charge. Excellent aftercare.
A yellow fever vaccine exemption certificate is a doctor-signed document confirming that you have a medical contraindication to the yellow fever vaccine — used as an alternative to the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) when travelling to or through countries that require yellow fever vaccination proof. This guide explains who needs one, the accepted contraindications, which countries require it, and how to obtain one online, subject to clinical review by a GMC-registered doctor.
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Many countries in these regions require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry under the International Health Regulations (2005) — and for travellers who cannot receive the vaccine for medical reasons, a formal exemption letter is the recognised alternative. Without it, travellers may be refused entry or subjected to mandatory vaccination at the border.
Who Needs a Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate?
You may need an exemption certificate if you are travelling to a country that requires yellow fever vaccination proof, but cannot receive the vaccine due to a recognised medical contraindication. Accepted contraindications include:
Allergy-Based Contraindications
- Known allergy to eggs or egg products (the yellow fever vaccine is produced in embryonated eggs)
- Known allergy to gelatin — present in the yellow fever vaccine as a stabiliser
- Documented history of anaphylaxis or severe systemic reaction to a previous yellow fever vaccine dose
- Family history of severe adverse reaction to yellow fever vaccine affecting the brain or other organs
Immune & Medical Contraindications
- Severe immunocompromise — including those on high-dose corticosteroids, biological therapy, or undergoing active chemotherapy
- HIV with severely reduced CD4 count
- Thymus gland disorder (thymoma, myasthenia gravis) or previous thymectomy
- Age under 9 months (contraindicated due to encephalitis risk)
- Pregnancy — where travel to a yellow fever risk area cannot be deferred
- Breastfeeding mothers with infants under 9 months
Travellers aged 60 and over have a higher risk of rare serious adverse events from the yellow fever vaccine, but this does not automatically qualify as a medical contraindication. A doctor will conduct a risk-benefit assessment based on your individual health status and the specific countries you are travelling to. Exemption in this age group is granted on a case-by-case basis.
Which Countries Require Yellow Fever Vaccination or Exemption?
Requirements fall into two categories: countries where yellow fever is a public health risk and vaccination is recommended, and countries that formally require proof of vaccination (or an exemption certificate) for entry. Below is a guide to the main categories:
| Region | Vaccination Required for Entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | ✔ Required (many countries) | Including Angola, Cameroon, Congo, DRC, Ghana, Kenya (if arriving from endemic area), Nigeria, Uganda, and others. Requirements vary — always check the specific country. |
| South & Central America | ✔ Required (some countries) | Including Bolivia, Brazil (some states), Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru (certain areas), Venezuela. Entry from endemic areas triggers the requirement. |
| Transit passengers | ✔ May be required | Some countries require vaccination proof even for transit passengers arriving from yellow fever endemic areas — including several airports in Africa and Asia. |
| UK / EU / USA | ✘ Not required | No yellow fever vaccination requirement for entry to the UK, EU, or USA. |
Country requirements change and should always be verified with the relevant embassy or on the TravelHealthPro website before travel. An exemption certificate may reduce — but does not eliminate — the risk of entry complications.
What the Yellow Fever Exemption Certificate Includes
A yellow fever vaccine exemption certificate from MedicalCert, subject to clinical review, will confirm:
- Your full name, date of birth, and nationality
- A clear statement that you are medically exempt from yellow fever vaccination
- The medical basis for the exemption, at the appropriate level of clinical detail
- Compliance with the format recommended by UK NaTHNaC (National Travel Health Network and Centre) guidelines
- The reviewing doctor’s name, GMC registration number, and signature
- Date of issue and a unique QR-coded verification reference
The certificate is issued in English and is internationally recognised. If a specific country or airline requires a particular form or format, upload it during the consultation process so the doctor can complete it accordingly.
How to Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate Online
Check your destination’s requirements
Confirm whether your destination requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate or accepts a medical exemption letter. Check via the TravelHealthPro country profiles or contact the relevant embassy. Requirements change — always verify before applying.
Gather your medical evidence
Collect documentation confirming your contraindication — allergy test results, a specialist letter confirming immunosuppression, or prescription records. For age-based exemptions (60+), your passport is typically sufficient. Without verifiable clinical evidence of a contraindication, a certificate cannot be issued.
Complete the online consultation form
Provide your medical history, travel details, the clinical reason for exemption, and upload your evidence. If your airline or destination country provides a specific form, upload it here.
GMC-registered doctor review
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission. Where the evidence supports a genuine contraindication, a signed exemption certificate is issued. If evidence is insufficient, no certificate is issued and a full refund is provided.
Receive your certificate by email
Your certificate is delivered as a PDF with QR-coded verification — same day or by 9AM the following morning. Present it to border officials, airlines, or other authorities as required.
Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate Online
GMC-registered doctors. Medical contraindications only. QR-verified. Same-day delivery. Accepted internationally.
Apply for Your Certificate →Frequently Asked Questions
Will all countries accept a yellow fever exemption certificate?
Most countries that require yellow fever vaccination accept a medical exemption letter issued by a registered doctor. However, acceptance is not guaranteed — border officials and local health authorities have discretion, and some countries may still require vaccination or impose quarantine measures. Always check the current entry requirements for your specific destination with the embassy or TravelHealthPro before travelling.
I’m over 60 — do I automatically qualify for an exemption?
Not automatically. Travellers aged 60 and over face a higher risk of rare serious adverse events from the yellow fever vaccine (including viscerotropic and neurotropic disease), but exemption depends on a full risk-benefit assessment. If your destination poses a genuine yellow fever exposure risk, the reviewing doctor will weigh the risk of the vaccine against the risk of the disease before issuing a certificate. In many cases, vaccination is still the safer option even for older travellers.
I have an egg allergy — does this qualify for an exemption?
It may. The yellow fever vaccine is produced in embryonated eggs, and a known egg allergy — particularly where there is a history of severe allergic reaction — is a potential contraindication. A mild egg allergy may not preclude vaccination in all cases. The reviewing doctor will assess your allergy history and the nature of your reaction before making a clinical decision. Evidence of allergy (such as allergy test results or a specialist letter) should be provided.
Can I get an exemption certificate if I’m pregnant?
Pregnancy is a recognised reason for caution with the yellow fever vaccine, as it is a live vaccine. If travel to a yellow fever endemic area cannot be deferred, an exemption certificate may be appropriate, subject to clinical review. The reviewing doctor will consider the stage of pregnancy, the specific travel destination, and the risk of yellow fever exposure before issuing a certificate.
How long is the certificate valid?
MedicalCert yellow fever exemption certificates are issued with a 12-month validity period. Some countries or airlines may have shorter validity requirements — always check with the relevant authority before travel. Yellow fever vaccination certificates (where vaccination is given) are valid for life under the International Health Regulations (2005).
What is the difference between a yellow fever exemption certificate and a yellow card?
A yellow card (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis — ICVP) is issued when you have been vaccinated against yellow fever at a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre (YFVC). It provides lifelong proof of vaccination. A yellow fever exemption certificate is an alternative document issued when you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. The two documents serve the same function at border control — confirming your yellow fever status — but are issued in different circumstances.
Clinically Reviewed By
Dr Maria Knobel
Medical Director, Nobel Medical LLC
GMC Registration
► 7495073 – View on GMC register