The Department of Health has issued the following statement regarding yellow fever vaccinations and the current shortage, "The public is advised to note that Zambia is not presently on the list of countries from which South Africa requires a Yellow Fever certificate and travellers to and from this country are not required to have a valid Yellow Fever certificate. Should the policy change, members of the public including travel agencies will be properly informed. The supplier of Yellow Fever vaccines has informed the Department that demands have exceeded supply and that there is currently a shortage in the country, which will only be corrected by late August.
South Africans who intend to travel to Zambia or through high risk areas are advised to postpone travel if possible. If not, such travellers should avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeved clothes, especially in early evenings and when outdoors; to apply insecticide repellent to the exposed body parts and to sleep under treated mosquito nets. These travellers should also ensure that they are aware and watch out for Yellow Fever symptoms, which include a sudden onset of fever, headache, backache, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. In very severe cases there may be nosebleeds, vomiting of blood and blood in stools. The clinical symptoms may be confused with other viral infections therefore, confirmation of the presence of Yellow Fever virus is critical. Upon their return into the country, they need to continue monitoring themselves for symptoms and be in telephonic contact with port health officials for a period of up to six days."
We have also received information that Randburg Mediclinic's travel clinic as well as Brenthurst Clinic in Johannesburg reportedly still has stock of the vaccination.
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