In light of the current yellow fever outbreak in Angola and ongoing transmission in Brazil, Peru China, Kenya, and the Congo, the Ministry of Health is reiterating the importance of persons getting vaccinated and showing proof of yellow fever vaccination when travelling to and from affected countries.
Jamaica like several other countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination from travelers coming from yellow fever endemic countries and those currently experiencing active transmission. Travelers are not allowed to enter these countries without this vaccination certificate.
The Ministry notes that some Chinese nationals were recently detained at Sangster International airport for failure to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Yellow fever vaccines are available and administered at the Comprehensive Health Center in Kingston on Fridays from 8:30am – 4pm. Vaccines are also available at the Montego Bay Type 5 Health Center in St. James every first Monday and Wednesday and every third Monday and Thursday during clinic hours. The cost is $1,500 per vaccine. It is also advised that the vaccines be done at least ten (10) days prior to travel.
In the meantime, ahead of the upcoming Rio Olympics scheduled for August 5- 21, 2016, the Ministry of Health is offering free yellow fever vaccination to Jamaican athletes, their management team and their families who will be travelling to Brazil during this period. The offer is a precautionary measure being taken by the Ministry of Health in light of the risk of yellow fever transmission in Brazil.
Other persons intending to travel to Brazil or other yellow fever affected areas are being advised to get vaccinated.
Yellow fever is an acute illness caused by the yellow fever virus which is found in the tropics of South America and Africa. The virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same vector that transmits the chikungunya, dengue and zika viruses.
Yellow Fever is a Class 1 notifiable disease which means it is to be reported to the Ministry of Health within 24 hours on suspicion by a health care professional.
Individuals may call the Ministry of Health or the nearest health centre for more information. Persons may also visit our website at moh.gov.jm and like and follow us on www.facebook.com/themohgovjm; https://twitter.com/themohgovjm; https://instagram.com/themohgovjm