Do I need my vaccine yellow book to be physical?

Do I need my vaccine yellow book to be physical? - Open Book in Woman Hands Behind Yellow Wild Flowers

I'm told some South American countries want to see your vaccine card for yellow fever (and maybe for other stuff that I don't know about) when you are entering their country from another South American country. I think this card is called vaccine yellow book.

  1. Is it ok if I take a picture of this card and show them on my phone? Does the card have to be physical?

  2. Also which vaccines do I need to be safe in South America other than covid19? I'm planning to extensively travel SA. Last time I was there I had some weird/unusual acne(or rash? idk) on me even though I was in urban areas



Best Answer

Even if other vaccines can be recorded in it, the main use for the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis is indeed checking whether you have been vaccinated against yellow fever. This requirement is not mainly about keeping you safe. Rather, it's designed to prevent spreading the disease in places that are at risk of local transmission.

I have heard about people getting away with a lot (including not being vaccinated) but I would not assume a picture of the document is enough. The Wikipedia article mentions newer digital versions used in some countries but that would be specific to those countries, the only standard document is the physical booklet (it's often called a card but it's closer to a passport).

What vaccines are recommended or beneficial for you is a completely separate question.




Pictures about "Do I need my vaccine yellow book to be physical?"

Do I need my vaccine yellow book to be physical? - Orange and White Cup on Top of Saucer Filled With Coffee
Do I need my vaccine yellow book to be physical? - Blossoming Chrysanthemum in cup of green tea on textbook
Do I need my vaccine yellow book to be physical? - From above of medical syringe with medication near injector with blood sample arranged with filled clinical test tubes placed on yellow background





What is ACID RAIN? | Acid Rain | Dr Binocs Show | Kids Learning Video | Peekaboo Kidz




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Svetlana Romashenko, Pixabay, Teona Swift, Karolina Grabowska