Get a same-day Yellow Fever vaccine exemption letter, signed by a UK GMC-registered doctor — sent straight to your email within just a few hours.
If you’re unable to receive the Yellow Fever vaccination for medical reasons, you may need an official Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate (also known as a Medical Waiver or Yellow Card Exemption). This certificate confirms that you are medically unfit to receive the vaccine and therefore exempt from the immunisation requirement when travelling to, or through, countries where Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory.
Many countries in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination — and travellers without it may be refused entry. With a valid exemption certificate, however, you can demonstrate compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and avoid travel disruption.
At Merlin Health, our UK GMC-registered doctors issue same-day, internationally recognised vaccine exemption certificates. You can complete the process fully online, from anywhere in the world, and receive your signed certificate by email — within just a few hours.
Getting your certificate with Merlin Health is quick and simple — no clinic visits or long waits. Here’s how it works:
Tell us about your medical background, vaccination history, and travel plans using our secure online questionnaire.
One of our UK GMC-registered doctors will review your medical details, confirm your exemption, and prepare your medical certificate.
Once approved, your Yellow Fever exemption letter will be sent to your email the same day — digitally signed, stamped, and QR-verified for authenticity.
To help our doctors issue your Yellow Fever vaccine exemption certificate, we’ll ask for a few key details. The process takes just a few minutes:
Everything is handled online and securely, with no appointments or clinic visits required — and our service is available worldwide.
“When illness disrupts travel plans, the last thing you need is added hassle. At Merlin Health, our online service makes it simple to obtain an Unfit to Travel certificate in just a few hours. Our doctors review each request carefully and issue certificates quickly, so you can focus on rearranging your plans. Every certificate is trusted by airlines and insurers, giving you one less thing to worry about.”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
“When illness disrupts travel plans, the last thing you need is added hassle. At Merlin Health, our online service makes it simple to obtain an Unfit to Travel certificate in just a few hours. Our doctors review each request carefully and issue certificates quickly, so you can focus on rearranging your plans. Every certificate is trusted by airlines and insurers, giving you one less thing to worry about.”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
You may need a certificate if you are unable to safely receive the Yellow Fever vaccine due to a medical condition or other risk factor. Common exemption reasons include:
Every Yellow Fever vaccine exemption certificate from Merlin Health is doctor-signed, verifiable, and internationally recognised. It includes all the details required by border control, airlines, and immigration authorities:
Many destinations in Africa, South America, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean require travellers to show either a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate or an official exemption letter.
If you can’t receive the vaccine for medical reasons, an exemption certificate serves as recognised proof of compliance — ensuring your travel plans remain smooth and stress-free.
Countries in Africa where a Yellow Fever vaccine certificate or exemption is typically required include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Uganda.
Countries in South & Central America that also request certification include: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Yes. If you’ve visited or are transiting through a Yellow Fever risk zone, many countries will ask for proof of vaccination upon entry — or, if you are medically exempt, an official vaccine exemption certificate.
Countries enforcing these regulations include: Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Carrying a valid exemption certificate ensures smooth border entry and prevents being refused boarding or detained by immigration authorities.
Yes. Although all our doctors are UK-registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), Merlin Health’s online service for vaccine exemption certificates is available worldwide.
Travellers from any country can apply for a Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate, as the entire process is completed online. Once you submit your online form and supporting information, one of our UK doctors will review your case and issue a signed, verifiable certificate that’s recognised internationally.
A Yellow Fever Vaccine Exemption Certificate (sometimes called a medical waiver or yellow fever waiver) is a doctor-signed document that explains why you cannot receive the yellow fever vaccine for medical reasons. It’s used in place of proof of vaccination to meet border entry requirements and airline policies. Merlin Health issues digitally signed certificates with QR verification, suitable for immigration, airlines, and port authorities worldwide.
You may qualify if vaccination is clinically contraindicated or poses significant risk, for example:
Infants under 6 months
Severe allergy to vaccine components (e.g., egg protein)
Immunosuppression (e.g., high-dose steroids, chemotherapy, advanced HIV)
History of serious vaccine reaction (e.g., YEL-AVD/YEL-AND)
Thymus disorders or thymectomy
Significant frailty or risk in adults ≥60 years where risk > benefit
Fill in our online health questionnaire with your full name, DOB, travel details and reason for exemption.
Apply online with Merlin Health. It’s a simple 3-step process:
Complete our secure online health questionnaire
Doctor review by a UK GMC-registered clinician
Same-day delivery of your signed digital certificate (PDF) with QR verification to your inbox
All applications are reviewed and certificates issued the same day (typically within just a few hours).
Yes. Our certificate is accepted for international use where proof of yellow fever vaccination is required due to a medical contraindication.
Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South/Central America require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry or when arriving from/transiting through endemic areas. If you cannot be vaccinated, you’ll typically need a medical exemption letter to satisfy immigration and airline checks.
Not automatically. While the risk of adverse events is higher ≥60, exemption depends on your individual risk–benefit assessment. Our doctor will review your medical history (comorbidities, itinerary, exposure risk) before issuing a certificate.
Basic details: full name and date of birth
Exemption reason: clear medical reason for exemption
Doctor identity: name, signature, GMC number
Tamper-proof verification: QR code and contact details for validation
Issue date and reference number
Yes — airlines and immigration accept doctor-signed digital letters with QR verification. We recommend printing a copy and keeping the PDF on your phone for offline checks.
Most authorities do recognise legitimate medical exemptions, but rules vary. If your destination does not accept waivers, you may face quarantine, rerouting, or denied boarding. We advise confirming official entry requirements before travel and planning transit routes accordingly.
If anything is unclear, our doctor will email or call to clarify your medical history, and if needed, request additional documentation.
The fee is £49, including same-day review and email delivery of your signed, QR-verified certificate.
Yes. While our clinicians are UK GMC-registered, our assessment and issuance are 100% online, and we provide certificates to travellers worldwide. If you can complete the form and provide verifiable evidence, we can assess and issue digitally.
Got a question or special requirement? Email us at info@merlinhealth.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN
Get the right medical letter for your situation.
Fit to Work certificate issued the same day by a UK doctor — fast, trusted, and accepted by employers.
Get a same-day Youth Camp Medical Certificate signed by a UK doctor — perfect for school trips, camps, and travel.
Need proof of your allergy? Get a UK doctor-signed Allergy Certificate delivered to your inbox today.