immunization branch

Yellow Fever Vaccine

Vaccine Updates

Transfusion-Related Transmission of Yellow Fever Virus
Due to a low risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, healthcare workers providing vaccinations should inform patients of the need to defer blood donation for at least 2 weeks after receiving a yellow fever vaccine.
My Turn, California’s free immunization clinic management and appointment platform, now includes the ability for clinics to advertise that they offer travel vaccines. If your clinic isn’t currently listed, we encourage you to enroll so patients looking for travel vaccines can easily discover your services.

How to Become a California Yellow Fever Vaccine Provider

Uniform stamp certification is required to order and administer yellow fever vaccine. A certified uniform stamp holder has the authority granted by the State of California to administer yellow fever vaccine to the public. The stamp is used for international verification that a traveler has been vaccinated against yellow fever, as well as to indicate exemption from the vaccine. The stamp is subject to recall or cancellation at the discretion of CDPH.

The uniform Stamp applicant must be a physician (MD or DO), nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or pharmacist with a current California license.

To apply, please use our online Yellow Fever Vaccine Provider Application/Renewal form.

We still accept our older paper forms; please email to Yellow.Fever@cdph.ca.gov or fax to (916) 636-6065. (Please do NOT use confidential, encrypted email systems that require a password to view. Use regular email or fax. )

CDC Online Yellow Fever Course

Prospective Yellow Fever stamp holders and Designated Providers must submit proof of completion of the CDC Online Yellow Fever Course. (Email proof of completion to yellow.fever@cdph.ca.gov )

Designating Yellow Fever Vaccine Facilities

Each yellow fever vaccine facility must be under the jurisdiction of an approved stamp holder. Use the same form to list the facilities where you or a Designated Provider intend to administer the vaccine. The Designated Providers you name may independently initiate Yellow Fever vaccination using your stamp. They may also indicate if a patient is exempted from receiving the vaccine.

CDPH directly notifies Sanofi Pasteur when facilities are approved and have been listed on the CDC’s facility locator site; the vaccine will be shipped only to those sites.

Yellow Fever Stamps

CDPH creates a Purchase Order upon approval of the stamp holder; this PO permits the stamp holder to purchase stamps from the approved vendor. Stamp holders may request additional stamps if there are multiple sites. Each stamp costs about $35.00 including shipping. Stamps no longer include an expiration date and need to be replaced only if worn or lost; however, recertification is still required every three years.

Replacement stamps may be requested from Yellow.Fever@cdph.ca.gov.

Vaccination and Temperature Logs

Certified uniform stamp holders are required to maintain a log of vaccine recipients (including any adverse events or previous YF vaccination) as well as temperature logs for the yellow fever vaccine storage units. Temperatures must be recorded twice a day. Facilities are subject to an audit without notice, and these logs may be requested. Failure to provide this documentation upon request may result in the cancellation of the stamp and the ability to order vaccine.

Use CAIR to document Yellow Fever immunization. Please include whether the recipient has received yellow fever vaccine in the past and whether there have been any adverse events.
Refrigerator Temperature Log (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Vaccine Shipping Address Changes

Stamp Holders must notify Yellow.Fever@cdph.ca.gov when there is an address change at any Yellow Fever site. The information will be updated accordingly on the CDC Yellow Fever clinic locator and with Sanofi Pasteur.

ICVP Cards

The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), also referred to as the “yellow card,” is the official, internationally recognized document that travelers use to document proof of vaccination. Providers may request the cards from Sanofi Pasteur when ordering vaccine. They may also be ordered from the US Government Printing Office.

Recertification

Certification expires in three years, on the last day of the month. Stamp holders should take note of the expiration date in the recertification letter, as it is no longer on the stamp itself. Four weeks before the month of renewal, submit a form to reapply as the Stamp Holder. Please list all facilities and their contact information. Please note - Sanofi Pasteur will disallow vaccine ordering by all your designated facilities if your certification expires.