(Spanish version below)

[ Click here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding Yellow Fever vaccination ]

At the suggestion and guidelines of the World Health Organization and the International Health Regulations, the Ministry of Health of Aruba established that, as of March 1, 2018 , the requirement for the Yellow Fever Vaccine proven by an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP ), also known as the Yellow Book, will enter into force for all passengers entering the island from endemic areas. For this reason, we would like to communicate the following:

-The vaccine is mandatory for all passengers arriving from the Central American, Latin American and African (high risk) countries: Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Paraguay, Panama, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. It should be noted that this measure does not apply to passengers from Chile and Uruguay, countries that are not considered at high risk for Yellow Fever transmission.

As per February 1, 2019 until further notice the Department of Public Health of Aruba, has temporarily exempted Argentina from the Yellow Fever vaccine entry requirement due to the fact that the Yellow Fever vaccine is scarce to not available in Argentina and taking into consideration the low risk of Yellow Fever transmission in Argentina compared to the other Latin American countries.

-In order to be valid, the vaccine must be applied at least 10 days before the trip. That is, visitors must be vaccinated at least 10 days before entering the island territory. It is important to keep in mind that if the passenger has been vaccinated before, even if it has been more than 10 years, and still keeps his yellow fever vaccination document (ICVP), he should not be re-vaccinated. Similarly, if the visitor has lost his or her certificate of vaccination, he / she must re-vaccinate. The latter of which does not entail any additional risk of side effects.

-The yellow book (ICVP) must be presented to the immigration officers of the Department of Immigration, Security and Alarm of Aruba (IASA).

-Visitors who were born in areas classified as high risk for Yellow Fever transmission, but live in Europe and the United States and travel to Aruba, do not need to get the vaccine or present the yellow book.

-Passengers who reside in Europe or the United States and travel from countries classified as high risk to Aruba do need to be vaccinated and present the yellow book.

Except for:

1. Passengers who have been in countries at risk and are in transit through Aruba. This also includes those who have to leave and re-enter the airport or cruise ships in less than 24 hours.
2. Passengers on their way to Aruba who have been in transit through countries at risk (in their airports and ports).
3. Passengers who, having been in the countries considered at risk, before entering Aruba have remained for a period of at least 6 days in a country that is not considered at risk and have not developed fever during that period.

-Important to highlight for airlines and cruises:

1. The same rules that apply to passengers, also apply to cabin crew and non-flying management.
2. Regardless of these requirements, it is recommended that all crew members be vaccinated against Yellow Fever if travelling regularly to countries considered to be at risk.
3. All the details regarding the exceptions to this requirement (including points a, be and c mentioned above) will be included in the TIMATIC.

-The yellow book is not required for the following:

1. Those who are coming on a connecting flight (including cabin crew) or cruise and will be less than 24 hours on the island.
2. Children under 9 months of age.
3. People with a history of acute hypersensitivity reaction to any component of the vaccine (including gelatin, eggs, egg products, or chicken protein).
4. People with a thymus disorder.
5. Immunocompromised individuals from the following: symptomatic HIV infection or AIDS, malignant neoplasms, primary immunodeficiency diseases, transplantation, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy, radiation, therapy.

If the passenger has any of these (medical) contraindications for yellow fever vaccination, an up-to-date medical waiver can be issued instead of administering the vaccine.

-Pregnant or breastfeeding women and people over 60 years of age and older are also exempted from this requirement. However, they are not required to present a medical letter/waiver.