Home  /  Vaccinations  /  Yellow Fever Vaccine

Travel vaccine

Yellow Fever Vaccine in Singapore

Bethesda Medical is a licensed Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. We administer the yellow fever vaccine and issue your International Certificate of Vaccination on-site — the document you'll need at immigration, and which only a licensed centre can provide.

Book your yellow fever vaccine Singapore entry rules
LicensedYF Vaccination Centre
1 doseLifelong protection
CertificateIssued on-site
10 daysBefore you travel
Yellow fever vaccine vial with an international vaccination certificate and passport
The disease

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease spread by infected mosquitoes, chiefly Aedes aegypti. It's found in tropical parts of Africa and Central and South America. The name comes from the jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes — that some patients develop.

Many infections are mild, causing fever, headache and muscle pain. But a minority progress to a severe phase with jaundice, bleeding and organ failure, which is frequently fatal.

There is no specific antiviral treatment — care is supportive only. Prevention through vaccination and avoiding mosquito bites is everything.

Why vaccinate

  • No specific treatment exists once infected
  • Severe yellow fever is frequently fatal
  • A single dose protects most people for life
  • Required for entry to many countries
  • Required to re-enter Singapore from risk areas
MOH-licensed Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre

Singapore's entry requirement

Singapore is free of yellow fever, and strict rules keep it that way. Travellers — including Singapore residents — who arrive within six days of leaving a country with risk of yellow fever transmission must present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination to the ICA officer at immigration.

Without a valid certificate, you may be quarantined on arrival. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, so plan ahead.

Only an MOH-licensed Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre may administer the vaccine and issue the certificate. Bethesda Medical is one.

Your International Certificate of Vaccination

  • Often called the "yellow card"
  • Issued on-site, at no additional charge
  • Becomes valid 10 days after vaccination
  • Valid for life under international regulations
  • Recognised internationally — carry it with your passport

Yellow fever vaccination is offered at selected Bethesda clinics. Please contact us to confirm your nearest location and book ahead of your trip. Entry requirements change — check ICA for the current list of yellow fever risk countries.

Is it for you?

Who needs the yellow fever vaccine?

Vaccination is recommended — and often legally required — for travel to yellow fever risk areas.

  • Travellers to yellow-fever-endemic parts of Africa and Central and South America
  • Travellers to countries that require proof of vaccination for entry
  • Anyone returning to Singapore within six days of leaving a risk country
  • Those on longer trips, or visiting rural and forested areas
  • Aid workers, researchers and those living in affected regions
Schedule

Yellow fever vaccine dose & timing

One injection, given at least 10 days before you travel.

Single doseOne injection provides long-lasting — usually lifelong — protection for most people.
At least 10 days before travelYour certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, and protection needs that time to develop.
Certificate issued on-siteWe provide your International Certificate of Vaccination immediately after vaccination.
BoostersNot routinely needed. A booster is occasionally advised if you're travelling to an outbreak area and it has been 10 or more years since your dose.

Stamaril

Yellow fever vaccine

Live vaccine

Weakened virus — not for everyone

Egg-based

Tell us about egg or gelatin allergy

Safety

Yellow fever vaccine side effects & who should not have it

This is a live vaccine, so a doctor's assessment beforehand is essential — one reason it's restricted to licensed centres.

Common & mild

  • Headache and muscle aches
  • A low-grade fever
  • Soreness at the injection site
  • Often appears several days after the jab
  • Settles on its own

Not suitable, or needs discussion

  • Infants under 9 months — and never under 6 months
  • Severe allergy to eggs, chicken protein or gelatin
  • A severe reaction to a previous yellow fever vaccine
  • Significantly weakened immunity, or a thymus disorder
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding — usually postponed unless travel is unavoidable
  • First-time vaccination aged 60 and above — a slightly higher risk of serious reactions

If the vaccine is contraindicated for you, your doctor may issue a medical waiver letter. Note that some countries may not accept a waiver, and it offers no protection against the disease — a change of itinerary may be the safer option.

Seek help promptly for severe reactions

Serious reactions to the yellow fever vaccine are rare but can be life-threatening. Get medical attention immediately if you develop difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face or throat, or a widespread rash after vaccination.

Cost

Yellow fever vaccine cost in Singapore

The yellow fever vaccine is a travel vaccine and is self-funded — it isn't covered by national subsidy schemes such as CHAS or Healthier SG. Your International Certificate of Vaccination is included at no additional charge. Contact us for current pricing before you travel.

 Ask about yellow fever vaccination
What to expect

Getting your yellow fever vaccine

One visit, and you leave with your certificate in hand.

1. Tell us your trip

Destination, dates and itinerary, so we can confirm what you need.

2. Doctor's assessment

We check your age, allergies, immunity and medical history — essential for a live vaccine.

3. Your vaccination

A single injection, administered at our licensed centre.

4. Certificate issued

Your International Certificate of Vaccination, on the spot.

Good to know

Yellow fever vaccine FAQs

Do I need a yellow fever vaccine to enter Singapore?
Only if you have recently been in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Singapore itself is free of yellow fever, but under ICA rules, travellers — including Singapore residents — arriving within six days of leaving a yellow fever risk country must present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination at immigration. Without it, you may be quarantined.
Which countries require the yellow fever vaccine?
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Central and South America are the main yellow fever risk areas, and many require proof of vaccination for entry. Requirements change, so check ICA's list and speak to our doctors about your specific itinerary.
Where can I get the yellow fever vaccine in Singapore?
Only at a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre licensed by the Ministry of Health. Bethesda Medical is a licensed centre — we administer the vaccine and issue your International Certificate of Vaccination on-site. It's offered at selected clinics, so contact us to confirm your nearest location.
When should I get vaccinated before travelling?
At least 10 days before departure. Your certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination, and your body needs that time to build protection. Book early — if your trip is sooner, still speak to us.
How long does the yellow fever vaccine last?
A single dose provides lifelong protection for most people, and under international regulations the certificate is valid for life. A booster is occasionally advised — for example, if you're travelling to an area experiencing an outbreak and it has been ten or more years since your dose.
How many doses do I need?
One. A single injection is enough for most travellers, and no routine booster is required.
What is the International Certificate of Vaccination?
Often called the 'yellow card', it's the internationally recognised proof of yellow fever vaccination. Only a licensed Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre can issue it. We provide yours at no additional charge after vaccination.
What are the side effects of the yellow fever vaccine?
Most people have only mild reactions — headache, muscle aches or a low-grade fever, typically appearing several days after the jab. Serious reactions are rare but can be severe, which is why the vaccine is only given at licensed centres after a doctor's assessment.
Who should not have the yellow fever vaccine?
The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine, so it isn't suitable for everyone. It is avoided in infants under 9 months (and never given under 6 months), in people with a severe allergy to eggs, chicken protein or gelatin, in those who reacted severely to a previous dose, and in people with significantly weakened immunity or a thymus disorder. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should generally postpone unless travel is unavoidable.
Is the yellow fever vaccine safe if I'm over 60?
Speak to our doctors first. Adults aged 60 and above receiving the yellow fever vaccine for the very first time have a slightly higher risk of serious adverse reactions. Your doctor will weigh this against the risk of yellow fever at your destination.
What if I can't have the vaccine for medical reasons?
If the vaccine is contraindicated for you, your doctor may issue a medical waiver letter. Bear in mind that some countries may not accept a waiver, and it does not protect you from the disease — so a change of itinerary may be safer.
Is there a treatment for yellow fever?
There is no specific antiviral treatment. Care is supportive only, which is why vaccination and mosquito-bite prevention matter so much. Severe yellow fever can cause jaundice, bleeding and organ failure.
Do I need other travel vaccines too?
Often, yes. Yellow fever risk areas frequently also call for typhoid, hepatitis A and, in some regions, malaria tablets. We can plan your full travel health needs in a single consultation.
Related

Other travel health you may need

Typhoid Hepatitis A & B Malaria pills All vaccines

Flying to Africa or South America?

Book at least 10 days before you travel. As a licensed Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, we'll vaccinate you and issue your certificate in the same visit.

Book your yellow fever vaccine

Sources

The requirements and recommendations on this page are drawn from official Singapore government sources:

This page is general information, not medical advice, and requirements can change. Always confirm the current position with the relevant Singapore government agency, or speak to our doctors about your own circumstances.