Expert insists Nigerians must obtain yellow card ahead of travel
Getting your yellow fever vaccination card is crucial if you’re planning to travel abroad, especially with the recent flight disruptions at Nigerian airports, the CEO of Inocul8, Emmanuel Egbroko, has
Getting your yellow fever vaccination card is crucial if you're planning to travel abroad, especially with the recent flight disruptions at Nigerian airports, the CEO of Inocul8, Emmanuel Egbroko, has said.
According to him, Nigerians need to get vaccinated, especially since it's a requirement for international travel and can take up to 10 days to become effective.
Egbroko made the call in a statement highlighting the growing number of travellers being delayed or denied boarding due to invalid yellow cards.
According to him, many Nigerians remain unaware that the yellow fever vaccination certificate—commonly known as the yellow card—does not become valid immediately after vaccination.
“The yellow card only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. This is a global health requirement, and failure to comply can lead to missed flights, denied boarding, or even refusal of entry into destination countries,” he said.
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The yellow card serves as proof of vaccination against yellow fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, and is a mandatory entry requirement for several countries across Africa, Asia, and South America.
Egbroko noted that last-minute vaccination remains a common mistake among Nigerian travellers, often due to poor planning or lack of awareness.
“At Inocul8, we frequently see travellers rushing to get vaccinated just days before departure. Unfortunately, this renders their yellow card invalid for travel and creates unnecessary stress and financial loss,” he added.
He further warned against obtaining vaccination cards from unauthorized sources, stressing that increased digitisation has made it easier for authorities to detect fake documents.
The Inocul8 CEO advised travellers to plan ahead, obtain their vaccination from approved centres, and keep their yellow card alongside other travel documents.
“A valid yellow card is not just a travel requirement—it is essential for protecting your health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to prioritise early preparation to ensure smooth and stress-free international travel.
