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Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted primarily by mosquitoes. It can lead to serious illness and even death and is called "yellow fever" because, in some serious cases, the skin turns yellow (jaundice).
Though yellow fever doesn’t occur in most parts of Australia, it is considered a quarantine-necessary disease. One of the mosquito species (Aedes aegypti) that may transmit the disease is common in the coastal regions of northern Queensland.
Vaccination is the most important way to prevent yellow fever. The vaccine is safe and highly effective and immunity (protection from the disease) occurs within a week in 95% of people who have been vaccinated. This immunity lasts for a minimum of 10 years.
If you're at continued risk of infection, a booster dose is recommended every 10 years. Serious side effects are rare.
Vaccination is recommended for travellers to high-risk areas. International regulations require proof of yellow fever vaccination for travel to and from certain countries. People who are vaccinated should receive an International Certificate of Vaccination.
If you've travelled through a country known to have yellow fever and you don’t hold a valid vaccination certificate, on arrival in Australia you'll still be permitted to enter without one, but you'll also be given a Yellow Fever Action Card. This card gives instruction on what to do if you develop symptoms of yellow fever in the six-day period following your departure from the yellow fever-declared country.
Though yellow fever doesn’t occur in most parts of Australia, it is considered a quarantine-necessary disease. One of the mosquito species (Aedes aegypti) that may transmit the disease is common in the coastal regions of northern Queensland.
Vaccination is the most important way to prevent yellow fever. The vaccine is safe and highly effective and immunity (protection from the disease) occurs within a week in 95% of people who have been vaccinated. This immunity lasts for a minimum of 10 years.
If you're at continued risk of infection, a booster dose is recommended every 10 years. Serious side effects are rare.
Vaccination is recommended for travellers to high-risk areas. International regulations require proof of yellow fever vaccination for travel to and from certain countries. People who are vaccinated should receive an International Certificate of Vaccination.
If you've travelled through a country known to have yellow fever and you don’t hold a valid vaccination certificate, on arrival in Australia you'll still be permitted to enter without one, but you'll also be given a Yellow Fever Action Card. This card gives instruction on what to do if you develop symptoms of yellow fever in the six-day period following your departure from the yellow fever-declared country.
