Process for getting Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate (YFV) from Manila + Malaria Pills Info

Procedure for Travelers for tourism purposes and Sea Farers:

Yellow Fever vaccination is just one of the many requirements I had to accomplish for my backpacking trip to Africa. Some African countries would only recommend YFV, while other yellow fever zones require it. Regardless, I strongly suggest that you get it anyway to have more flexibility with your travel options.

Here’s the list of countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission

Address:
Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) Kawanihan ng Kuwarentenas 25th Street, Port Area, Manila (behind Manila Hotel)

Manila Hotline for queries: (02) 320- 9108

Schedule:
Mondays to Fridays | 8 to 11 am and 1 to 3 pm
Saturdays | 8 to 11 am

Validity:
– As of July 11, 2016, the validity of YFV has been changed from 10 years to a lifetime.

Vaccination Fee:
– Php 1,500
– Php 300 for re-issuance of certificates

Announcement:

BOQ has only started computerizing their records in 2007. Before that, they only keep a manual copy of the YFV certificates, which they dispose of every 10 years.

• For those who were vaccinated on or before 2007 and are STILL IN POSSESSION of their YFV certificates:

Only those who have been vaccinated from 2007 onwards are eligible for a change of YFV card. To do this, present your certificate to the staff of BOQ to avail of the re-issuance of the certificate. This only costs Php 300. This means that they will simply retrieve your records and give you another certificate with the validity changed to “lifetime”.

Persons who had their yellow fever shot in 2006 and earlier need to be revaccinated. Aside from the central office in Manila, other WHO-approved vaccination BOQ stations are in Iloilo, Cebu, & Davao.

• For those who were vaccinated on or before 2007 and are NO LONGER IN POSSESSION of their YFV certificates:

You may have to do the whole process of vaccination and pay the corresponding Php 1,500 fee because they might not have your records anymore. It is best to present a gov’t issued ID and hopefully, the staff can locate your records in their logbook.

• For all others who had their YFV just a few years back:

Then you have several years ahead before the reflected validity expires. At your convenience, you can head to BOQ and request for re-issuance that states “lifetime validity”.

• For those who were vaccinated from the year 2007 and above but have lost their YFV certificates:

Just present a valid government-issued ID for them to retrieve your records and avail of the re-issuance.

Application from BOQ, Metro Manila:

Best time to go:

The process is generally fast but BOQ advises that the best time to go is in the morning as the queue piles up towards the afternoon.

Before acquiring your YF vaccine, ensure that:

• You are not pregnant or suspecting pregnancy
• You did not acquire any type of vaccination in the last 7 days
• You are not HIV positive
• You haven’t taken alcoholic drinks for the last 24 hrs.
• If you are 60 yrs. old and above, you may be asked to present a certificate from your doctor allowing you to receive YFV

Process for first-time applicants:

1) Fill out the forms outside.

2) Hand out the forms you filled out to the attending nurse inside and answer the usual questions about your health history.

3) She will direct you to go to the other nurse who will then administer the vaccination in your upper arm. It’s very quick; you don’t even have to sit down.

4) Once done, settle the corresponding vaccination fee of Php 1,500. The official receipt will be given to you.

5) Right next to the cashier are employees in-charge of printing the International Certificates of Vaccination. Just wait there until your name is called.

6) Once you receive your yellow fever certificate/ International Certificate of Vaccination, thoroughly check that all details are correct. All information should accurately match what is reflected in your passport. If you spot any mistake, give it back so they can re-print.

Process for re-issuance:

I have not tried this myself but I was told by BOQ that there are properly labeled forms and procedures to follow when you get there. Don’t forget to bring your existing yellow fever certificate if you still have it and/or any gov’t issued ID if you no longer have it.

Other important information:
If you receive the YFV shot today, the date that will reflect in your certificate for when the validity starts is after 10 days from the date of vaccination. For example, if you got the shot on November 1, your certificate will state valid from November 10 – Lifetime.

Why?
Because it takes 10 days for the body to fully absorb the medication and be deemed as effective. Hence, make sure to note this as you might be refused entry to whichever Yellow Fever zone you will go to because of the validity date reflected.

Before traveling:

– Ensure that you bring the original copy of your yellow fever certificate. Keep it together with your passport
– Bring photocopies as well

Doctor’s prescription for Malaria medicines, etc…

– Depending on where you’re going, you may be recommended to take anti-Malaria medicines as well. Note that Malaria meds cannot be purchased over-the-counter; they require a prescription. Therefore, when acquiring your YFC, take advantage of the free consultation with the resident doctor at BOQ. Just inform one of the nurses that you need a prescription for Malaria medicines so they can show you the way to the doctor’s office. Do this if you wish to avoid paying for a private doctor just to get the said prescription.

– In my case, I was prescribed to take Mefloquine 250 mg. I was advised to take one tablet a week before I arrive in Africa, then once a week subsequently for the rest of my stay, and the last pill I should take a week after I got out of Africa. It costs around Php 120 per tablet at Mercury Drug Store. Unfortunately, they don’t have generic brands.

– Do you really need to take Malaria medicines?

If taking it will give you peace of mind so that you can enjoy your trip, then maybe you should take it instead of feeling paranoid for the entire duration of your trip. Or if this is the only time you’re going to need to take it, then I guess it’s okay too. In my case, I keep coming back to Africa and there’s no way I would keep taking it as a maintenance drug. It’s not good for the liver and it has known side effects like having weird dreams and I already have enough of those. I just use a lot of insect repellent, I keep myself covered with loose clothing and I make sure to sleep with mosquito nets all the time. I never leave Africa without a mosquito bite because there’s just really a lot of them there, and I’m thankful that none of them came with Malaria but I can’t say for everyone.

– Do you need to get any other vaccinations other than Yellow Fever like Hepatitis, Rabies, etc.?

At least in my case, I never had any vaccinations other than yellow fever but we’re all different. I’m a risk-taker but I know Filipinos can be or wants to be too prepared for the “just in case” or “what if”. I believe the other ones you’d read online are all recommendations but are not mandatory. Even to my friends and family, I would suggest not to get them and just exercise caution. For example, you can avoid street foods or only drink distilled water if you want to be on the safe side. Other than that, just chill out and save your body from having to withstand the side effects of these medicines and vaccinations. Of course, I’m not a doctor so who am I to tell. But I’ve been to at least 10 African countries multiple times and all I can guarantee is that I’m still alive. Just to put you in a realistic perspective, look at all these vaccinations recommended to travelers when visiting the Philippines. So, be the judge for yourself.

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