How To Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine with Card in Manila, Philippines

By Dan Forteza

Getting a Yellow Fever Vaccine Card was one of the precautions I took before going to South America a year ago.

This year, I will be visiting Africa and will be armed with the same vaccine I had since its validity is LIFETIME. Yep, you read it right. So if you also intend to visit the continents of South America and Africa, most likely you’ll be needing a Yellow Fever Vaccine.

Hi there! First of all, I am Daniel – a solo backpacker from the Philippines. If you don’t know my story yet, feel free to read this article where I talked about how I quit my job in order to travel. This article was also featured on TripZilla Philippines.

Also known as the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, the Yellow Fever Vaccine card is secured to protect both individual travelers and from the risk of importing or spreading the yellow fever virus.

WHAT IS A YELLOW FEVER?

Mosquitoes are the primary carrier of this tropical viral disease. The “yellow” in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients. Symptoms of yellow fever include fever, headache, jaundice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

The yellow fever virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Central and South America. You can check the official WHO list of countries for current requirements.

WHO NEEDS THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE?

1. Travelers going to countries with risk for Yellow Fever Transmission
2. Seafarers required by their company to have the vaccination

NOTE: The yellow fever vaccine is said to be safe for people as young as 9 months of age.

WHERE CAN I GET THE YELLOW VACCINE?

One can get this vaccine including its yellow card (or Carte Jaune) in various Bureau of Quarantine Offices across the country. For Filipinos living within NCR, you can obtain this at the Bureau of Quarantine in Manila.

Schedule: Monday to Friday (except holidays), 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

HOW TO GET YOUR YELLOW FEVER VACCINE

1. Log in and Fill out Forms: Upon arrival, approach the guard to log in. You will receive a Data Form, Yellow Fever Questionnaire, and Waiver form.
2. Interview: Proceed to the clinic for a short health interview with a quarantine officer.
3. Vaccination: Submit your forms and receive the shot. You’ll be asked to wait for 5 minutes to check for any immediate allergic reactions.
4. Payment: Pay at the cashier. The cost is 1,500 PHP.
5. Verification: Verify your personal details before the card is printed.
6. Claim Card: Receive your card signed by the Medical Officer.

Note: The whole process usually takes 10 – 30 minutes. Sweet!

MY FINAL SAY

As Desiderius Erasmus said, “Prevention is better than cure.” Getting protected before you travel ensures you don’t run into issues at immigration or, more importantly, with your health. Let me know in the comments how your experience went!