Travelling soon and need your yellow fever jab? Book your appointment at Murray’s Pharmacy now and travel with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- –>Designated yellow fever centre: Murray’s Pharmacy is an officially approved yellow fever vaccination centre authorised to issue the ICVP certificate.
- –>Lifelong protection: A single dose of the yellow fever vaccine typically provides lifelong immunity for most people.
- –>Certificate issued same day: Your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is issued at the time of your appointment.
- –>Expert travel health advice: Our pharmacists assess your full itinerary and health history before administering the vaccine.
- –>No GP referral needed: Book directly with us online or by phone without needing to see your GP first.
- –>Centrally located: Accessible from across North and East London, including Islington, Dalston, Shoreditch, and Bethnal Green.
What Is Yellow Fever and Why Is Vaccination So Important?
Yellow fever is a serious, potentially life-threatening viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted through the bites of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. It is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and South America, and while many people who contract the virus experience only mild symptoms, around 15% develop a severe form of the disease affecting the liver and kidneys. In these severe cases, the fatality rate can be as high as 50%.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for yellow fever, which makes prevention through vaccination absolutely critical. The NHS yellow fever vaccination guidance confirms that a single dose of the vaccine provides long-lasting protection for the vast majority of travellers, and for most people, a booster is no longer routinely recommended. Given both the health risk and the fact that many countries legally require proof of vaccination before entry, arranging your yellow fever jab well in advance of travel is essential.
Which Countries Require the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory for entry into a number of countries, and some nations require proof of vaccination if you are travelling from a yellow fever endemic zone, even if the destination itself is not considered high risk. Requirements change regularly, so always check the latest guidance before travel. Below is a general overview of regions and example countries where the vaccine is required or strongly recommended:
| Region | Example Countries | Vaccine Required for Entry? | Recommended Even If Not Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo, Cameroon | Yes (for many) | Yes |
| South America | Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela | Yes (for many) | Yes |
| Central America | Panama (certain areas) | Situational | Yes, depending on the itinerary |
| Transiting via endemic zone | Various destinations in Asia, the Middle East | Yes (proof of vaccination required) | Yes |
Our travel health pharmacists will check the specific requirements for your destination at the time of your appointment and ensure your certificate is correctly dated and formatted for border control.
What to Expect at Your Yellow Fever Appointment at Murray’s
Your yellow fever appointment at Murray’s Pharmacy is thorough, professional, and designed to get you travel-ready as efficiently as possible. Here is what happens when you come in:
First, one of our travel health pharmacists will carry out a pre-vaccination consultation, reviewing your medical history, any medications you are currently taking, and your full travel itinerary. This is important because the yellow fever vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is not suitable for everyone. Those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or over 60 with no prior vaccination history may require additional assessment before the vaccine is administered.
Once cleared for vaccination, the jab is given as a single injection, typically into the upper arm. Your ICVP certificate is then completed and signed by the pharmacist on the same day. This yellow card certificate is your official proof of vaccination and must be kept safe for all future travel to relevant destinations. You should receive the vaccine at least ten days before you travel, as this is when the certificate officially becomes valid.
Who Should and Should Not Have the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
The yellow fever vaccine is highly effective and well-tolerated by most healthy adults and children over nine months of age. However, it is a live vaccine, and there are specific groups for whom it may not be appropriate. Alongside vaccination, it is also worth thinking about other travel comfort preparations before you fly, including reading our guide on travel bands for motion sickness if long-haul journeys affect you:
- –>Suitable for: Most healthy adults and children aged 9 months and over who are travelling to at-risk areas.
- –>Not suitable for: Infants under 9 months of age in standard travel settings; individuals with a severe egg allergy; those with a weakened immune system due to HIV, chemotherapy, or other conditions.
- –>Caution advised for: Adults aged 60 or over receiving the vaccine for the first time; pregnant or breastfeeding women (discuss with your pharmacist); those with thymus disorders.
- –>Medical exemption certificates: If you cannot have the vaccine for medical reasons, Murray’s can issue a medical exemption letter, which some countries will accept in lieu of the ICVP.
Combining Yellow Fever With Other Travel Vaccinations
Many travellers heading to yellow fever endemic regions also require additional travel vaccinations such as typhoid, hepatitis A and B, meningitis ACWY, or rabies, depending on the nature and duration of their trip. If your itinerary involves rural areas, wildlife, or activities such as trekking, you may also want to read our guide on whether the rabies jab is really necessary for travel before your appointment. Murray’s Pharmacy offers a full travel health service, meaning you can receive all of your required vaccinations in one convenient appointment or across a short series of visits. Our pharmacists will build a personalised vaccination schedule around your departure date to ensure everything is timed correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question below to reveal the answer.
How long does the yellow fever vaccine last?
For the vast majority of travellers, a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection. Boosters are no longer routinely recommended, though individuals who were vaccinated during pregnancy, or who are immunocompromised, may be advised to have a further dose. Your pharmacist will advise you based on your personal circumstances.
When does the yellow fever certificate become valid?
The ICVP certificate becomes valid ten days after vaccination. This means you must receive your yellow fever jab at least ten days before you travel to any country that requires proof of vaccination at the border.
Can I get the yellow fever vaccine at Murray’s Pharmacy without a GP referral?
Yes. As a designated yellow fever vaccination centre, Murray’s can administer the vaccine and issue your ICVP certificate directly. No GP referral is required. Simply book your appointment online or call us on 020 7253 9859.
What are the common side effects of the yellow fever vaccine?
Most people experience only mild, short-lived side effects such as a sore arm, mild headache, or low-grade fever for a few days after vaccination. Serious adverse reactions are rare. Your pharmacist will talk you through what to expect before the vaccine is given.
What if I cannot have the yellow fever vaccine for medical reasons?
If a confirmed medical contraindication means the vaccine is not suitable for you, Murray’s can provide a medical exemption letter. Acceptance of this letter varies by country, so it is important to check entry requirements for your specific destination in advance.
How do I book a yellow fever vaccination appointment at Murray’s Pharmacy?
You can book online via our bookings page or call us directly on 020 7253 9859. We recommend booking as early as possible before your trip to ensure your certificate is valid in time for travel.
Travel Smart: Get Vaccinated at Murray’s Pharmacy Before You Go
Yellow fever is a preventable disease, and vaccination is the single most effective way to protect yourself. At Murray’s Pharmacy in Hoxton, our designated yellow fever vaccination centre offers everything you need in one visit: a thorough pre-travel health consultation, the vaccine itself, and your official ICVP certificate to take with you. With our team’s expertise in travel health and our convenient East London location, getting protected before your trip has never been simpler. Don’t risk being turned away at the border or, more importantly, risk your health. Book your yellow fever vaccination at Murray’s Pharmacy today.
