Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for any traveler who intends to visit Uganda whether for a safari, holiday or any other visit. Uganda being a tropical country makes you prone to getting Yellow Fever which is a bad illness that can ruin your safari and haunt you after when you depart.
The Yellow Fever Virus is transmitted by the same mosquito that spreads the Zika virus but unlike Zika, Yellow Fever can be controlled with an effective vaccine which confers lifelong immunity within a month of administration.
Following an outbreak of Yellow Fever in Angola and some cases reported in Kenya and Uganda by their respective Ministries of Health; Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya have now made it a mandatory requirement for all travelers to and from these countries to present updated Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate at all ports of entry.
Travelers are advised to be vaccinated at least 10 days before travelling to protect from contracting the disease should any chance contact happen.
Travelers are advised to make sure that they carry their Vaccination Cards with them throughout their travel to avoid any inconveniences. While in these countries always sleep under a treated mosquito net.
As a company, industry and country; the health, safety and well- being of all our visitors, tourists and nationals is our primary priority; should any danger arise we would be the first to let you know.
The absence of a yellow fever vaccination certificate might make you miss out on your Uganda Visa when you arrive at the airport or any entry point. However, some lucky tourists are not asked for this certificate and some purchase them at the airport at about $50 even with or without vaccination, which isn’t good.
The yellow fever vaccine lasts for your entire life meaning in the long run, it’s definitely worth it. Getting the vaccine from Uganda will only save you costs but won’t guarantee you absolute safety from getting yellow fever. These vaccines take at least 10 days to become fully effective and besides, the national parks you head to for safaris are the main centers of the most mosquitoes in the country. We definitely advise you to get your vaccination at whatever cost in advance and keep your vaccination certificate safe as you travel because you will need to present it at the immigration offices at your entry point before you are issued a Visa.
Still, I understand that you might fail to get a yellow fever vaccination certificate in some cases and if your safari lasts for short days (3 – 5 days), your risk might be a bit low compared to travelers whose safari packages stretch past 10 days. If you opt to take a shot at the airport or any entry point then you have to take some precautions to ensure you stay away from any mosquito bites. Also, take some prophylaxis to lower the risk.
Some of the precautions to take include:
- Wear long trousers plus long sleeved shirts. These outfits should be heavy enough because some mosquito bites penetrate through light clothes.
- Sleep under the mosquito nets that are provided at safari lodges
- Avoid wearing bright colors
- Spray your room with insecticides more often
- Spray your clothes plus yourself with strong mosquito repellents
Yellow Fever is a very serious disease that claims an estimate of 20,000 – 30,000 lives each and every year. Endeavor to get a shot at least 10 days before setting foot in Uganda and phase the urge to get vaccinated only because of a safari. It’s your own health and you should treasure it in a way that you ought to do everything the right way.
Uganda is free from yellow fever so why worried of visiting the pearl of Africa!
