Yellow fever vaccination required for some travelers

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Nicaragua is now requiring that certain travelers show proof that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever.

What does the change mean? All travelers who are from or who have visited one of the following countries must have a yellow fever certificate to travel to Nicaragua: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, Venezuela, Paraguay, Peru, and all African countries except the Democratic Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Principe, Somalia and Tanzania. The regulation applies to Nicaraguan and foreign nationals who have visited any of these countries, including those who have transited through one of the countries for more than 12 hours.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: All entry visas.
• Who is affected: All travelers who originate from or who have visited any of the designated at-risk countries before entering Nicaragua, as well as travelers who have transited through one of the countries for a period of 12 hours or more.
• Business impact: Travelers who have never been vaccinated may need to delay their trip for at least 10 days after vaccination.
• Next steps: Affected travelers should make sure that they have a yellow fever certificate that has been issued by the health authorities of the country of origin and is valid for at least 10 days before entering Nicaragua.

Background: The regulation applies to Nicaraguan citizens and foreign nationals who have visited any of the designated countries deemed to be high-risk. According to the World Health Organization, travelers may also be at risk even if they have transited through one of the countries for 12 hours or more. Yellow fever certificates that are more than 10 years old will also be accepted, as the WHO adopted a resolution in July 2016 changing the validity period of the yellow fever vaccine from 10 years to a lifetime validity.

BAL Analysis: Affected travelers who have not previously been vaccinated for yellow fever should take steps to do so before traveling to Nicaragua.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Nicaragua. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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