Do I need a yellow fever vaccine if I transit through a risk country (Ethiopia)?
I'm transiting through Addis Ababa for a few hours on my way to South Africa and returning back to India via the same route. As far as I understand, South Africa does not require a vaccine if the transit time is under 12 hours: https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/before-flying/health
According to International Health Regulations 2005, a valid international yellow fever certificate is required for all travellers:
-
Over the age of 1 year old -
Travelling from a yellow fever risk country or -
Having been in transit for 12 hours or more at an airport in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.
It seems like India also has a transit exemption according to CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/preparing-international-travelers/yellow-fever-vaccine-and-malaria-prevention-information-by-country.html) and WHO (https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/documents/emergencies/travel-advice/yellow-fever-vaccination-requirements-country-list-2020-en.pdf), page 23
Travel from countries with risk for YF virus transmission (see list of countries below as specified by India): Vaccine is required for travelers ≥9 months old, and any traveler ≥9 months old arriving by air or by sea without a YF vaccination certificate will be detained in isolation for ≤6 days if they:
Arrive within 6 days of leaving an area with risk for YF virus transmission, orHave been in such an area in transit (exception: passengers and members of flight crews who, while in transit through an airport in an area with risk for YF virus transmission, remained in the airport during their entire stay and the health officer agrees to such an exemption)
But I don't see this exemption listed on any Indian gov websites like: https://www.ihpoe.mohfw.gov.in/vaccination.php
Should I trust the CDC/WHO recommendation? Would save me a lot of hassle.
Posted Dec 30, 2025, 8:55 PM UTC