Yellow fever certificate and health in Cameroon: what to prepare
Updated on 23 October 2026 · 7 min read
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Cameroon and it is checked when you land in Douala or Yaoundé. Get vaccinated at an approved centre at least 10 days before you fly; the certificate is then valid for life. Malaria is present all year, so see a travel clinic or your doctor 6 to 8 weeks before departure. This page explains what to prepare; it is not medical advice.
The yellow fever certificate: the rules
- It is compulsory. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers from all countries, and it is checked on arrival at Douala (DLA) and Yaoundé-Nsimalen (NSI). It is also one of the documents asked for in the e-visa application.
- The document: the yellow International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), filled in and stamped by an approved yellow fever vaccination centre. A note from your usual doctor is not enough.
- Timing: the certificate becomes valid 10 days after the vaccination. Plan the appointment at least two weeks before you fly, more in busy periods.
- Validity: since July 2016, the World Health Organization rules that the certificate is valid for life, including old certificates with a 10-year date on them.
- Keep it with your passport. Carry the original in your hand luggage, and keep a photo of it on your phone.
Children and people who cannot be vaccinated
Official sources do not all give the same age: the U.S. CDC states the certificate is required from 9 months, the UK health agency from 1 year. Vaccination is usually offered from 9 months. In practice, bring a certificate for every child who has been vaccinated. For a baby too young to be vaccinated, a pregnant woman, or anyone with a medical reason not to be vaccinated, ask the vaccination centre for advice: they can issue a medical exemption on the official certificate. Bring each child's birth certificate too.
Lost your yellow card?
Ask the centre that vaccinated you for a duplicate well before departure. Without it you risk delays or problems at the airport, and you cannot complete the e-visa file.
Malaria: ask a professional, protect yourself from bites
Health agencies describe the malaria risk in Cameroon as high, all year and in the whole country, including Douala and Yaoundé. Preventive tablets are recommended for most travellers. Which medicine, and for how long, depends on your health, your age and your trip: only a doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic can decide. People born in Cameroon who live abroad lose their natural protection after a few years: ask about prevention even if you grew up there.
- Use an insect repellent, especially from dusk onwards.
- Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening.
- Sleep under a mosquito net or in a room with screens or air conditioning.
- Fever during the trip or in the months after your return must be checked quickly by a doctor, and say where you travelled.
Other vaccines to discuss
| Vaccine | What health agencies say |
|---|---|
| Routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, diphtheria) | Be up to date, as for any trip |
| Hepatitis A, typhoid | Recommended for most travellers |
| Polio | Proof of vaccination may be asked on leaving for stays of 4 weeks or more; it must be on the yellow certificate |
| Hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, cholera | For some travellers, depending on the stay and activities |
Dengue is also present, which is another reason to avoid mosquito bites. Health notices change: a travel clinic checks the current situation, for example any outbreak, when you see them.
Travel insurance and medical care
Take out travel insurance that covers medical care and medical evacuation. Clinics in Douala and Yaoundé often ask for a deposit or a guarantee before treating you, so keep your insurer's assistance number and a card or some cash ready. Emergency numbers: 119 for an ambulance (main cities), 112 for medical assistance. For planned treatment, read our guide to a medical stay in Douala or Yaoundé.
Pharmacies and medicines
- Bring enough of your usual medicines for the whole stay, in their original boxes, with a copy of the prescription. Some medicines are not available locally.
- Buy only in a licensed pharmacy. There are many in both cities, and an on-duty pharmacy (pharmacie de garde) is open at night and on Sundays. Avoid medicines sold in the street or at markets: they may be fake or badly stored.
- Pack a small kit: repellent, sun cream, oral rehydration salts, a thermometer, plasters, and what your doctor advises.
Health checklist before departure
- 16 to 8 weeks beforeSee a travel clinic or your doctor: yellow fever, malaria prevention, other vaccines, your usual treatments.
- 2At least 10 days beforeBe vaccinated against yellow fever, so that the certificate is valid when you land.
- 3The week beforeBuy travel insurance with evacuation; prepare medicines, prescriptions and repellent; photograph your yellow card.
- 4On the dayYellow card and passport in your hand luggage. Then read what happens at Douala airport or Yaoundé-Nsimalen.
Frequently asked questions
Is the yellow fever vaccine mandatory for Cameroon?
Yes. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Cameroon and it is checked at the airport on arrival.
How long before travelling to Cameroon should I get the yellow fever vaccine?
At least 10 days before you fly: the certificate only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. See a travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks ahead to plan all vaccines.
Is my old yellow fever certificate still valid?
Yes. Since July 2016, WHO rules make yellow fever certificates valid for life, even if they show a 10-year expiry date.
Do children need a yellow fever certificate for Cameroon?
Yes, from about 9 months to 1 year depending on the source. For a baby too young to be vaccinated, ask the vaccination centre about a medical exemption.
Is there malaria in Douala and Yaoundé?
Yes, malaria is present all year in the whole country, including the big cities. Ask a doctor or travel clinic about preventive treatment and protect yourself from mosquito bites.