Where to Get a Yellow Fever Card in Lagos

If you’re traveling from Lagos and your destination (or airline) asks for a Yellow Fever Card, what they really mean is the WHO International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)—the official yellow booklet used worldwide. The good news: you can get it in Lagos, but you want to do it the right way to avoid delays, denied boarding, or a card that gets rejected.

This guide covers legit places to get a Yellow Fever card in Lagos, the 10-day timing rule, and how to verify your card and avoid scams.

What a “Yellow Fever Card” really is ?

The “Yellow Fever card” is the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP). For it to count, it must be properly completed, signed, and stamped by the vaccination provider/center. The CDC notes the ICVP must be validated with the official stamp of the center where the vaccine was given, and travelers without a valid ICVP can face denied entry, quarantine, or revaccination at the border. (CDC – ICVP Guide)

The 10-day rule Lagos travelers often get wrong

Your Yellow Fever certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination—not immediately. WHO states the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is valid from 10 days after administration. (WHO – Yellow Fever Q&A)

WHO also updated international rules so the Yellow Fever certificate extends for the life of the person vaccinated, starting 10 days after vaccination. (WHO – Extension to Life Validity (PDF))

Why this matters in Lagos: a study conducted among Nigerian travelers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja found that while 66.2% reported being vaccinated for Yellow Fever, 24.4% were vaccinated less than 10 days before travel—exactly the timing that can trigger travel-day problems.

Practical takeaway: If your flight is soon, don’t gamble—book your vaccination so your certificate is valid before departure.

Where to get a Yellow Fever card in Lagos

1) Port Health Services (official government route)

Nigeria’s NCDC states that international travelers can get vaccinated at least 10 days before departure at any Ports Health Service (PHS) office nationwide and obtain a valid vaccination card as evidence. (NCDC – Yellow Fever FAQs)

Port Health Services also describes its function as including immunization and issuing Yellow Cards. (Port Health Services Nigeria)

When Port Health is a good fit:

You want the most “official” route travelers commonly use for travel documentation.
You’re traveling soon and need the process handled in a way that aligns with border health expectations.

2) Inocul8 (clinic visits in Lagos)

If you prefer a clinic-based, guided experience (especially helpful if you want support with timing, documentation checks, and travel readiness), you can book Yellow Fever services through Inocul8. You get travel health consultation services regarding you trip.

Book here: (Inocul8 – Yellow Fever)

Tip: No matter where you go, what matters is that you actually get vaccinated and your ICVP entry is correctly completed and validated.

Step-by-step: how to get your Yellow Fever card in Lagos

1) Plan around your travel date

Your certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. (CDC – ICVP Guide)
WHO-backed rule: certificate validity is for life, starting on day 10. (WHO – Extension to Life Validity (PDF))

2) Bring the right essentials

Your international passport (best practice because names/passport numbers must match what you travel with).
Any prior immunization records you have (optional but helpful).

3) At the clinic: what should happen

The provider completes your ICVP and validates it with a signature and official stamp of the vaccination center. CDC’s Yellow Book emphasizes that vaccinees should receive a completed ICVP signed and stamped, and that a properly completed ICVP is valid beginning 10 days after primary vaccination. (CDC – Yellow Book: Yellow Fever)

You receive the Yellow Fever vaccine.

How to verify your Yellow Fever card in Nigeria

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health FAQ explains you can verify your Yellow Card by using the official Yellow Card portal—either by entering your details or scanning the QR code on the card. (Nigeria FMoH – FAQs)

You can also access Nigeria’s portal here: (Yellow Card Nigeria Portal).

Note: These portals are no longer functional as a form of validation. The Nigerian government have informed other international bodies how to confirm authenticity of yellow cards from Nigeria.

Why verification matters

A peer-reviewed paper on counterfeit vaccination certificates notes that counterfeit Yellow Fever certificates can seriously undermine disease control—and that Nigeria developed an “e-Yellow Card” verifiable by QR code because validating paper ICVPs can be difficult.

A simple “No-Scam” checklist (use this anywhere in Lagos)

Before you leave the provider, confirm your card has:

Correct name matching your passport
Date of vaccination
Provider signature and center official stamp
Vaccine details (manufacturer/batch/lot where applicable)

A travel-medicine paper summarizing ICVP requirements notes validity depends on documentation including date, clinician signature/status, manufacturing and batch number, and official stamp.

Quick FAQs

Can I get the Yellow Fever card urgently?

You can often get vaccinated quickly, but the certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination—so “urgent” doesn’t change that rule. (CDC – ICVP Guide)

Does the Yellow Fever certificate expire?

Under WHO IHR updates, the Yellow Fever certificate is valid for life, starting 10 days after vaccination. (WHO – Extension to Life Validity (PDF))
(Older booklets may still show “10 years,” which is why travelers get confused.)

Can I travel if my vaccine is less than 10 days old?

That’s risky. CDC warns travelers without a valid ICVP may be denied entry, quarantined, or revaccinated at the point of entry. (CDC – ICVP Guide)

How do I verify a Nigerian Yellow Card?

Pending when it becomes functional, use the official portal/QR verification guidance from the Federal Ministry of Health. (Nigeria FMoH – FAQs). Best advise is for you to get the document from a reliable source.

Final takeaway If you’re traveling from Lagos, your safest plan is:

Get vaccinated early enough to clear the 10-day validity window.
Use a legit provider (Port Health or a reputable clinic like Inocul8).
Verify your card and check your details before you leave the clinic.

If you want a clinic-based option in Lagos with a smooth process and travel-medicine guidance, you can book via: (Inocul8 – Yellow Fever)