Sierra Leone is a country where yellow fever is a recognised risk, so many other countries ask travelers coming from here to show proof of vaccination before they are allowed to enter. The proof is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, often called the yellow card, and it is stamped by an authorised vaccination centre.
The most common mistake is leaving it too late. Under the rules in force for the certificate, it is generally treated as valid from ten days after vaccination, and many airlines and border officials will check it. Getting vaccinated the week you fly can leave you with a certificate that is not yet valid.
Also check the details on the card itself. Your name and passport details should match the passport you travel on, the vaccination date and stamp should be clear, and the card should be signed. A small error is the kind of thing that causes trouble at a check-in desk, where there is little room to fix it.
Requirements differ by destination and can change at short notice, and some countries ask for additional vaccinations depending on your plans. For example, travelers going on Umrah or Hajj are usually asked for a meningitis vaccination as well. Always confirm the current rules with the destination country's embassy or official health authority rather than relying on a general guide, including this one.
When we build an itinerary, we flag the health documents your destination is likely to ask for, so there are no surprises. Tell us where you are going and when you plan to travel, and we will point you to what to arrange first.
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