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You know the answer is yes but find out why and what if you don't.
Most importantly understand that the entire stock of Yellow Fever vaccination (YF-VAX; Aventis Pasteur Inc.) is controlled by the US Department of Health and Human Services. From there the vaccination is distributed to each state in the USA. Each state distributes the vaccination to the local health authorities in that state. The local health authorities then distribute the vaccination as they see fit. For this reason alone, what may be policy in one town, in one state, may vary in another.
If you make an appointment with your health care professional , be sure and tell them that you want to get a Yellow Fever Vaccination when making the appointment for two reasons. First they may or may not be able to get the vaccination from the local Health Department. Second, if they can, they will need to order it in advance of your appointment so as to have it ready when you arrive. This will save you a trip if you and your doctor decide you need one.
Don't be surprised if your family doctor has never dealt with a Yellow Fever vaccination. The demand for a Yellow Fever vaccination is quite rare, especially in rural America. If you feel you need a more specialized medical provider, ask a travel agent in your area if they know of a Medical Travel Specialist or a Travel Clinic". Doctors who specialize in infectious disease, often time advertise a "Travel Clinic". The good thing about these clinics is that you will get your advice from a health care provider who specializes in infectious disease and will more than likely have the latest information on your travel destination. (The website www.cdc.gov and www.mdtravel.com also have all of the latest travel information you will need.)
Make sure that you get an International Certificate of Vaccination from your health care provider after getting your Yellow Fever vaccination. This is a yellow, fold-out booklet, written in French (international diplomatic language) and English. It is an official document and will have a special section for your health care provider to record the date and the batch number of your Yellow Fever vaccination. There is also a section for recording all of your other vaccinations should you choose to do so. Carry this booklet whenever you travel out of the country.
Some countries, such as Brazil, require you to show proof of vaccination before entrance into the country if you have been in a country with in the previous 90 days that Brazil deems a source Yellow Fever (Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Venezuela.) Your International Certificate of Vaccination is your proof of your Yellow Fever vaccination.
