Is a Yellow Fever Vaccine Required to Enter Ivory Coast?

Yes, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for all travelers aged 9 months and older entering Ivory Coast, regardless of their country of origin or visa type. Ivory Coast, classified as an endemic country by the World Health Organization (WHO), consistently enforces this requirement to prevent Yellow Fever transmission.

Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirement for Ivory Coast Entry

The Yellow Fever vaccine is critical to prevent the introduction and spread of this mosquito-borne disease in Ivory Coast and to protect travelers. Below are the key details:

1. Official Requirement

All visitors (including transit passengers) must show proof of Yellow Fever vaccination (WHO-approved "International Certificate of Vaccination").

Required for entry by air, land, and sea.

2. Exemptions

Infants under 9 months are exempt, though airlines may rarely request a certificate as a precaution. They must be listed on a parent’s travel documents, and immigration may require proof of age, such as a birth certificate.

Travelers with medical conditions preventing vaccination (e.g., allergies, immunosuppression, pregnancy) may be exempt but must provide a medical waiver letter from a licensed physician. Immigration officers have the final authority to accept or reject the waiver, and exempt travelers may face additional health screenings or quarantine.

Transit passengers staying in the airport for less than 12 hours are typically exempt, but should carry a certificate to avoid issues.

3. Vaccine Validity

The vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before arrival in Ivory Coast for it to be considered valid.
Provides lifetime immunity (per WHO standards).

4. Proof at Port of Entry

You must show the certificate to immigration or health officials at the airport (typically in Abidjan). Non-compliance may result in:

Denied entry if no certificate is presented.
Quarantine: In rare cases, travelers may be quarantined for up to 6 days (the incubation period for Yellow Fever) at their own expense.
Forced vaccination at the airport (Abidjan’s Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport offers this, but it’s costly and delays entry).

Practice Tips

Carry both a digital and printed copy of your Yellow Fever certificate. Some airlines may also request it before boarding flights to the Ivory Coast.

Can I enter Ivory Coast without a Yellow Fever certificate?

No, you risk denial of entry or quarantine. A valid International Certificate of Vaccination is required at the port of entry.

Are children exempt from the Yellow Fever vaccine for Ivory Coast?

Infants under 9 months are exempt but must have proof of age. Children 9 months and older require the vaccine.

Do I need to show the Yellow Fever certificate for an e-Visa application?

Not during the online application, but you must present it at Abidjan’s Port Bouet Airport upon arrival.

What if I have a medical exemption from the Yellow Fever vaccine?

Present a medical waiver letter from a licensed physician. Immigration may accept it, but could require additional health checks.

Conclusion

The Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory for all travelers aged 9 months and older entering Ivory Coast, with a valid International Certificate of Vaccination required at ports of entry. Exemptions apply for infants, transit passengers, and those with medical waivers, but non-compliance can lead to denial of entry or quarantine. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel, carry your Yellow Card, and take mosquito precautions to stay safe in the Ivory Coast’s endemic environment.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

All information entered on this form will be kept strictly confidential and subject to our privacy policy once received by us. Your transaction will be secured using SSL/TLS encryption.