Persons planning to travel to Brazil for the Olympic Games in August are reminded that they will need to be vaccinated against yellow fever.
The Ministry of Health, in an advisory issued today, informed persons travelling to all areas endemic for yellow fever that they should receive the vaccine at least six weeks prior to travelling, or as soon as their travel arrangements were known.
It further advised that the vaccine provided lifetime immunity, and so those who had been vaccinated in the past and were in possession of their yellow fever certificate, did not need to be vaccinated a second time.
The vaccine is administered at the Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael, and members of the public should call 227-7725 to make arrangements to receive it.
Endemic areas for yellow fever include some countries in South and Central America, as well as Central and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Ministry has assured the public that it is closely monitoring the international yellow fever situation.