In recent weeks there has been much confusion and debate with regards to wether or not South African Immigration requires travellers arriving in South African from Zambia to have a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate or not.
The latest update is that Yellow Fever vaccinations are NOT required for travellers from Zambia going to or passing through South Africa!
THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S (DOH) HAS STATED THAT ITS PROPOSED POLICY REQUIRING TRAVELLERS TO AND FROM ZAMBIA TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST YELLOW FEVER HAS NOT YET BEEN ENACTED AND THEREFORE THE CURRENT POLICY REMAINS UNALTERED. [By which they mean that currently Yellow Fever vaccination is NOT required]. “THE DEPARTMENT IS STILL LOOKING AT REVIEWING THE POLICY,” SAYS DR FREW BENSON, DOH CLUSTER MANAGER OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.AS THIS IS NOT YET POLICY, THE PORT HEALTH AUTHORITIES WILL NOT BE REQUESTING PROOF OF VACCINATION, SAYS THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL MEDICINE (SASTM). The health authority has said that, although there are a few clinics that are still administering the inoculation, it will only be given to travellers visiting endemic areas. This, therefore, excludes Zambia.