Nigeria Yellow Fever Card: How to Determine if It’s Original (Part 1)

The Yellow fever card is a mandatory document issued to Nigerians travelling to countries where the virus is not common. Because Nigeria records regular outbreaks of the disease, you must provide evidence of vaccination to protect the citizens of the country you are visiting. Also, to protect yourself from the deadly condition.

This requirement reduces the chance of travellers carrying the virus across borders. It is not just a formality; it is an international travel law recognised by most countries. However, with counterfeits in circulation, how can you determine if your Yellow fever card is genuine?

What Immigration Officials Look For

When you arrive at a port of entry e.g the Ikeja Airport in Lagos State. Immigration officers inspect your documents for specific security features. To ensure your travel isn’t disrupted, you should check your yellow card for the same details.

1. Details on the Yellow Card Cover Page

The front page of the document displays the following essential information:

• The Issuing Authority: If you obtained the certificate in Nigeria, this will read “Federal Republic of Nigeria.” However, any authorised country can issue this document to both locals and foreigners.

• The Certificate Title: You will see “International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.” Don’t be confused by the heavy terminology. While vaccination refers to receiving the vaccine, prophylaxis simply means prevention. Essentially, this title confirms you are protected against Yellow Fever Virus or other specified conditions.

• Recipient Details: Your name is printed on the card following your inoculation. If your full name cannot fit, your surname and initials will be stated instead. This is standard practice, so there is nothing to worry about.

• Passport Number: Your valid international passport number must be indicated here.

• Card ID: This is a unique code assigned specifically to you, consisting of a combination of letters and numbers.

• QR Code: This is crucial for security purposes. Immigration officers scan this code to instantly verify if the certificate is genuine. However, because the Nigerian government recently upgraded its database, other measures are occasionally used to validate the cards.

For more information. You should read part 2 here. To learn more about the yellow fever immunisation for travel consult Inocul8 today.