Linking yellow fever vaccinator approval and renewal with training in travel medicine in New Zealand

Abstract

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease, which can cause serious illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) requires travellers to have vaccination against Yellow fever for all international travel going into and from Yellow fever endemic areas in order to prevent the spread of this potentially deadly disease. Only clinics and hospitals authorised by health departments of national governments can administer the disease. Yellow fever vaccination centres are often subject to inspection in many countries, although the requirements for Yellow fever vaccinators (YFV) vary from country to country. In New Zealand, approval of YFV now requires specific postgraduate training in travel medicine or its equivalent, as well as continuing professional development to maintain this status. It is expected that this will assist in improving standards of travel medicine practice in New Zealand.