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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Good morning, sir /ma please i won’t to get my yellow card for traveling
Hello Oseni, kindly go through the article and if you have any specific questions, please ask!
Hi, Amarachi.
I haven’t been vaccinated before and my flight to Kenya is this Saturday. I just made the payment online. Is there a way it can be backdated when I get the card?
Hi Selly, if you have the old proof of vaccination, you can travel with both cards without needing to backdate it. If not, you can try asking the staff at the Yellow Fever vaccination centre to do. They may request additional charges to do so.
My sister is in Germany, and Air France just messaged me that I cannot board the flight back to Nigeria without my Yellow Card. What can I do? My flight is on Monday. Is it what she can get done in Germany?
I’m sorry, I don’t understand your question. Is it you or your sister who is travelling and needs a yellow fever card? You can get it anywhere. This article talks about how to get it in Nigeria but you can also get the vaccination of proof of vaccination in Germany as well.
hello.. i did my yellow fever on the 6th and today is 17 but my details is not coming out when i scan my barcode.. what could be the problem
It doesn’t really matter. My card also doesn’t show any details when I scan it and I’ve been travelling with it for years.
Hi, I can’t find my old card so I have no proof of prior vaccination. What can I do?
Hi Titi, the easiest thing is if you have some sort of proof, maybe a photo you took of the card or something… I am not too sure how things are now and if they will insist on seeing the old card. But you should know that this new vaccine is permanent, unlike the last one that lasts for 10 years, so it might be worth taking the shot anyway.
Please ma am just back to Nigeria but have done my online registration where can I get it in Ogun state
Hi Olufunmi, I’m sorry, I’m not sure of the particular place you can go to but if you live close to a land border or Federal Secretariat, you should be able to get one there.
Hi Amarachi, for someone who is pregnant, nursing or aged, will the card be issued since you mentioned that they are exempted from taking the vaccine
Ideally, they should be able to travel without the card and by showing a proof of those things (maybe visibly pregnant or advanced in age). It is best to contact the airline representative before your trip. Technically, it is still possible to get the card in this scenario as well – maybe not for the pregnant/nursing woman because they’d still need the vaccine later on.
Please I made a mistake while registering on the eYellow card website with my date of birth and I’ve made payment already. Is there a way to edit that or do I have to pay again ?
To be honest, I’m not sure you need to worry about that. The date of birth does not appear on the card and does not even stick to your record (I just checked my registration and only my name, email and home address appear). There’s no need to pay again.
Hi good afternoon
Thanks so much Amarachi this was so helpful….
I’ve just registered for mine and I have gotten my proof of payment but must I go immediately or the next day to the center for the vaccination
I’m not in Lagos right now
so is it possible for me to go the next week for the vaccination?
Hi Anita, you can go next week when you’re available. It won’t be a problem.
I really wish to obtain the card for work, so how can I go about it
Will you have password before filling this yellow card form
No you don’t. Please follow the process as detailed in this post.
certificate valid from 2020 until 2023 ….that is what I saw for my yellow card I thought is up to 5years .but..this is only 2years and is expired
It should be valid for life actually. I haven’t heard anything about this 5 years expiry. This is new. Personally, I wouldn’t pay attention to this but maybe you could ask any port health official you come across.