Every few years, the Federal Government of Nigeria changes the policy of obtaining a yellow card in Nigeria. In the last six years, I’ve owned two yellow card certificates and I am about to get the third one. Two cards in six years don’t seem like that many but when you consider that these cards should last a minimum of 10 years, you realize that it is one too many.
I remember when I got my first card – you know, we always remember our firsts. She was so young and full of sunshine and hope; excited to see the world, excited to experience the menace of Nigerian immigration officers and the condescension of immigration officers abroad.
Sadly, she never got to experience any of these things. Barely two weeks after I had her, the Government had not only declared that she was invalid but had also declared that the vaccines could no longer be given in private hospitals. So, I had to get another card.
That short fan fiction brings us back to the reason for this post. It’s 2019 and Nigerian travellers are required to get a new (e)yellow card. But before I get into details of the process of obtaining one, I’ll like to elaborate more on this card and its importance.
What Exactly is a Yellow Card and Why is it Important?
Yellow (fever) cards or certificates are needed to show proof that you have received a vaccination against the disease. The vaccines are administered to prevent an outbreak and to protect travellers who may be exposed to infection in areas where the disease is prevalent.
Countries with Risk of Yellow Fever Transmission
AFRICA – Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda.
AMERICAS – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela
Source: WHO Yellow Fever Fact Sheet
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/
There is no treatment or cure for the disease at this time. However, you can prevent infection by getting vaccinated and avoiding mosquito bites.
How and Where to Get the New Yellow Card Certificate in Nigeria
The steps below detail the process of getting the new yellow card online;
- Start your online application by logging on to the Yellow Card Nigeria portal: https://yellowcardnigeria.com/
- Click on the ‘Register’
- Fill in your personal information
- Click “Pay Now” and generate a receipt
- Make a payment of ₦2,000 on the same page (or go to the bank with the RRR code provided) and print the payment confirmation
- Go to the Port Health Services Office closest to you with the printed documents and a copy of your passport biodata page
- A vaccine will be administered after your payment has been confirmed.
You would not need to take the vaccine again if you have done so before and it is still valid. When I went to get my second yellow card, I mentioned that I had already been vaccinated, so I wasn’t given another one. I just paid for the card.
Where is the Port Health Office in Lagos Located?
The Port Health office in Lagos is located at Airport Rd, Mafoluku Oshodi, Lagos, right by the toll gate on your way to the International airport. Look out for a yellow-coloured building to your left (before the toll) if you’re coming from Ikeja.
Countries that Require Yellow Fever Vaccination (and Cards) for Entry
As a rule, my yellow card accompanies my international passport everywhere it goes. That being said, some countries don’t need proof of vaccination. You can find a list of countries that do here.
Final Thoughts…
From April 1st, 2019, all old yellow cards will become invalid. Personally, I think this would be a source of ruckus and more extortion, especially at the land borders. I can imagine the officials telling you that there is a different charge for ‘new entries.’ It would be a miracle if travel went smoothly after this change.
Edit #1:
- If you have taken the vaccine in the past, you don’t need to take it again. Simply go to the Port Health office with the old card and you will be fine.
- Children below 10 years have been immunized at 9 months. There’s no need to take another vaccine or bring them at all.
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers are exempted from taking the vaccine
- Adults above 60 years are also exempted from taking the vaccine
- If you have registered on the website, you will be provided with a RRR code. You can use that code to pay at any bank or through your bank’s mobile/internet banking app.
- Apart from the Port Health office at Ikeja, you can get the vaccine and yellow card at Tincan Island Sea Port, Apapa Sea Port, Idiroko border, Seme border and all Federal Secretariats.
Edit #2: Update March 2020
- Emirates Airlines now requires all international travellers flying from and into Nigeria to have a yellow card certificate
- Read the Nigerian CDC Site FAQ to find out if you are exempted from taking the vaccine
I’d like to hear your thoughts… Have you travelled recently with the new yellow card? Was it easy getting and travelling with one?
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Hey Tessy, Thanks so much for the write up. You’re the only person that described the location of the office.
I hope to visit Vietnam later in the year? Can you write about the visa requirements from a genuine source? Thanks in advance.
Hi Amarachi, do children below 10 years still need to get the yellow card even though they were vaccinated when they were 9months old?
Hi Tessy, I confirmed from someone who travelled recently with her kids and she said she had to present it. Basically, kids from one year above need the card. They don’t have to take the vaccine though. Just pay online and go to the port health office with their immunization card to get it.
May God bless you real good IJN. Thanks for your mail.
For those on this platform, my Pharmacist:
1. warned me by saying that “the side effect is Polio”
2. The risk becomes higher once over 60, which I’m just few months away.
I don’t even think many are aware of these in Nigeria.
My Opinion
I think that it is a bit stupid to enforce something like this on people where the risks are greater than benefits
Again, for an over 60 person that does not want to take the risk, does it mean NOT visiting Nigeria ever again? I think that this whole Yello Fever issue really stinks.
Amarachi, sorry about my ranting but just to make people more aware about the unknown. However, a BIG Thank You for the info and all I need to do now is just have to cross my fingers including legs while praying that all shall be well with me.
You’re right Oladayo, you are exempted from taking the vaccine. I checked the Nigeria CDC site and it clearly states that Adults about 60 years should not receive the vaccine. You can read more about it here: https://ncdc.gov.ng/news/200/yellow-fever-faqs
Hi Amarachi, please where can I get a new yellow card in Enugu State
Hi Desmond, I’m sorry I don’t know the exact location of the Port Health office in Enugu. Since Enugu has an international airport, I will suggest checking with airport officials there to see if Port Health is situated in or around the airport. Typically, you can obtain a yellow card at any of the land, sea or air borders in Nigeria.
Thank you Amarachi for the detailed explanations. Please I will be travelling with my daughter next month, and she is currently 7 months old. Will she require the yellow card for our travelling. If she is exempted,..will I have to pay for the exemption card?. Please help a confused first time mum
Hi Ifunanya, according to the NCDC’s website, only children 9 months and older need to show proof of vaccination. I think your daughter should be fine without a card. Yellow fever vaccination for babies is from 9 months old. You could also try to confirm from someone at the airline too, to be on the safe side.
Thanks for your response Amarachi. Unfortunately, I could not read your response. I have registered with a link on your page with the hope that it will allow me to read your comment but it didn’t work neither. Please could you help.
Hi Dayo, I’ve sent you an email with the same response and bit more context.
Thanks for this piece and the several answers provided hereunder. As regards u-10 children, you stated there’s no need to take another vaccine or bring them at all. So, only payment is necessary for them?
Hi Opeyemi, yes, you only need to make payments to obtain the yellow cards for them. You also need to go to the Port Health office with their immunization cards.
What if my last vaccination is still valid do I still need to pay to be vaccinated, knowing it runs for 10 years.
Hi Peace, you don’t need to take the vaccine again if the previous one is still valid. However, you still need to pay to get the new card.
Go with your old card to avoid being vaccinated again. One thing to note is that, this vaccine, unlike the last one lasts a lifetime. If confirmed by a medical practitioner, it might be worth taking it. (Please ask first before you decide whether to do so or not.)
I already got an answer to my question without stress. Thanks Amarachi
I got mine since 2016, from your explanation i dont need the vaccination but how do i get the new card? do i need to register before going to health centre where the card would be issued?
Hi Christopher, you have to follow the process as written in this post. The only difference is that you tell them when you get there that you have taken the vaccine before. They will probably only administer the oral polio vaccine and you pick up your card the next day – all things being equal.
Where can I get the yellow card at osun state
Hello
Im coming from Canada to visit home again, I had my yellow fever vacination 12 years ago in Canada to visit Nigeria,
I read is good for 10 years and CDC say is for a lifetime, dO Nigeria government require new vacines. so my question is should I get a new yellow fever vacine or bring my old yellow card to Nigeria
Hi Micheal, if you got the card in Canada, it should be valid here. The only ones that need renewal are the ones that were gotten here (in Nigeria)