Yellow fever vaccination may only be given at officially authorised vaccination centres. Reisemedizin Tirol in Wörgl is an officially recognised yellow fever vaccination centre. For the yellow fever vaccination we recommend an appointment: it leaves more time for the assessment and the certificate. If your departure is close, you can come with an Akutticket on any day the practice is open, and we will find a solution. Bear in mind that the certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. We have the common travel vaccines, including the yellow fever vaccine, in stock practically all the time.
What is yellow fever and how is it transmitted?
Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. It occurs in certain tropical regions. The illness usually starts suddenly with fever, headache, aching limbs, nausea and vomiting. In some patients a severe second phase follows, with jaundice, bleeding and organ failure, which can be fatal.
There is no specific treatment against the virus. That makes vaccination and consistent protection against mosquito bites all the more important.
Where can I get vaccinated against yellow fever?
Not every practice is allowed to vaccinate against yellow fever. Proof of vaccination is only recognised in international travel if it was issued by an authorised yellow fever vaccination centre.
At our practice in Wörgl, Dr Marco Schönberger vaccinates as a certified yellow fever vaccinating physician. After the vaccination he issues the international certificate of vaccination in accordance with the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR). Travellers come to us from Wörgl, Kufstein, Kitzbühel and the whole Tiroler Unterland, as well as from Innsbruck.
Do I need the yellow fever vaccination for my trip?
There are two possible reasons:
- Your own protection: vaccination is recommended if you are travelling to an area where yellow fever occurs.
- Entry requirements: some countries require proof of vaccination on entry – in some cases only if you arrive from, or have had a stopover in, an area with yellow fever.
Both depend on your exact itinerary and can change. For that reason we do not publish country lists here; instead, we clarify in the consultation whether you need the vaccination for your trip. Read more under travel health consultation and travel vaccinations.
When does the yellow fever certificate become valid, and for how long?
A single dose is sufficient for yellow fever vaccination. The international certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. Plan the vaccination no later than 10 days before entering a country that requires yellow fever vaccination.
Since 2016 the certificate has been valid for life under the International Health Regulations. A booster is generally no longer required for the certificate. Whether a further dose makes medical sense in your case is something we discuss with you.
For your travel preparation as a whole, we recommend coming 4–6 weeks before departure. Even if time is shorter, a consultation is almost always still worthwhile.
Is there an age limit – and who cannot be vaccinated?
The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine. It is generally well tolerated. Serious side effects are rare, but more frequent in certain groups. That is why we check before every yellow fever vaccination whether it is suitable for you. Particular care is taken with:
- Infants: the vaccine is not given in the first months of life, and during the rest of the first year only after strict consideration.
- People aged 60 and over who are being vaccinated for the first time: there is no fixed upper age limit, but benefit and risk are weighed especially carefully.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- A weakened immune system – from birth, due to an illness or due to medication that suppresses the immune system – and disorders of the thymus gland
- Severe allergy to egg protein or to another component of the vaccine
Whether one of these situations applies to you, and what it means for your trip, is clarified in the consultation. We also take the intervals to other vaccinations into account.
What if I cannot be vaccinated?
If there is a medical reason against vaccination, a medical exemption certificate can be issued. Whether it is accepted is decided by the country you are entering. The certificate does not protect you against yellow fever. We discuss with you what this means for your trip and what to bear in mind when protecting yourself against mosquito bites.
What should I bring to the appointment?
- Your vaccination record and any other proof of vaccination you have
- Your passport, so that the details on the certificate match your travel document
- Your itinerary with travel dates, including stopovers
- A list of your medication, pre-existing conditions and allergies
What does the yellow fever vaccination cost?
Travel vaccinations and travel medicine consultations are generally private services. They are not covered by statutory health insurance. Some supplementary insurers reimburse the costs on request.
If you have the recommended vaccinations carried out at our practice, the consultation is free of charge. For a consultation only, without vaccination, we charge €40 per person. We tell you the costs in advance.
How do I come for the vaccination and for advice?
There are two routes:
- With an appointment – our recommendation: with an appointment we can take more time for you, for the assessment as well as for the certificate. You can book it online via ClickDoc.
- With an Akutticket – when time is short: if your departure is close, you can draw an Akutticket on any day the practice is open and come in. We will find a solution. One limit remains: the certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. You can see when the practice is open under opening hours.
We have the common travel vaccines, including the yellow fever vaccine, in stock practically all the time. Advice and vaccination are therefore usually possible at the same visit. We cannot promise it: when demand is very high or there is a supply shortage, a single vaccine can be temporarily unavailable. That is one more reason to book ahead.
If you have a question beforehand, write to us via Medflex. Directions are under how to get there. If you are travelling to a malaria area, please also read our page on malaria prophylaxis.