On June 28, 2016, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced that beginning July 11, 2016 the certificates of yellow fever vaccination will be valid for life in Taiwan to be in line with the international community as studies have shown that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine confers life-long protection for the person vaccinated. The validity of the international certificate of yellow fever vaccination is extended from 10 years to life. All the new yellow fever vaccination certificates issued starting July 11, 2016 will state the period of validity of such certificates is the duration of the life of the person vaccinated and the validity periods stated on all the previously issued certificates no longer apply. Individuals in possession of previously issued certificates do not need to obtain a new certificate as the certificates will be valid for life.
Yellow fever is the only disease specified in the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR (2005)) for which countries may require proof of vaccination such as the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) from travelers as a condition of entry under certain circumstances and may take certain measures if an arriving traveler is not in possession of such a certificate. Based on evidence-based scientific findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed yellow fever vaccination gives lifelong immunity against the disease in 2014 and the amendment to the IHR (2005) was adopted by the World Health Assembly held in the same year, extending the period of the validity of all such certificates from 10 years to the duration of the life of the person vaccinated, including for certificates already issued and new certificates. Hence, as of July 11, 2016, valid certificates of vaccination presented by arriving travelers cannot be rejected on the ground that more than ten years have passed since the date vaccination became effective as stated on the certificate; boosters or revaccination cannot be required.
Yellow fever occurs in Africa and Latin America, where it is endemic and intermittently epidemic. Recently, the outbreaks in countries such as Angola, the Republic of Congo, and Uganda have continued to escalate. Travelers planning to visit countries with a high risk of yellow fever transmission are urged to visit one of the 26 outpatient travel clinic at contracted hospitals in the nation to inquire the physician about their need for yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days prior to their trip. To prevent potential transmission of yellow fever, travelers arriving from countries with a high risk of yellow fever transmission and those in transit through such countries are required to provide proof of vaccination. Travelers are recommended to consult individual country requirements by contacting the embassy of each country they intend to visit. As some countries require proof of vaccination from all travelers, travelers are advised to plan their vaccinations accordingly. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).
DATA SOURCE : http://www.cdc.gov.tw/english/info.aspx?treeid=BC2D4E89B154059B&nowtreeid=EE0A2987CFBA3222&tid=28604E29C8848A08
