Ministry urges travellers to get yellow fever vaccine

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 yesterday reiterated the importance of persons getting vaccinated.

The ministry also said proof should be shown of yellow fever vaccination when travelling to and from affected countries.

Jamaica, like several other countries, requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers coming from yellow fever-endemic countries and those currently experiencing active transmission.

"Travellers are not allowed to enter these countries without this vaccination certificate," the ministry said, noting that some Chinese nationals were recently detained at the Sangster International Airport for failure to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

Vaccination for athletes

In the meantime, ahead of the upcoming Rio Olympics in Brazil, scheduled for August 5-21, the Ministry of Health is offering free yellow fever vaccinations to Jamaican athletes, their management teams, 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 vaccines are available and administered at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston on Fridays from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Vaccines are also available at the Montego Bay Type 5 Health Centre 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 10 days before travel.

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.