AIIMS Guwahati raises concern over unauthorised yellow fever vax

Guwahati:  An alarmed AIIMS Guwahati has informed the Union health ministry about possible fake yellow fever vaccine certificates issued by some hospitals in northeast, leading to alleged visa rejections for travellers going to certain African and Latin American countries.

As the only unauthorised yellow fever vaccination centre in the northeast, AIIMS Guwahati has encountered multiple cases where travellers’ visa applications were reportedly denied in certain cases due to invalid certificates issued by unapproved hospitals and private practitioners, sources said.

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for travel to certain African and Latin American countries, and for people arriving in India from endemic regions.

Officials at AIIMS Guwahati caution that unauthorised inoculations not only risk international travel but also compromise public health protocols.

Sources indicated that unauthorised vaccinations were administered by private doctors and hospitals, particularly in Guwahati and parts of upper Assam. “In the past two years, AIIMS Guwahati received five to six cases where yellow fever certificates issued by unauthorised sources were rejected during visa processing,” sources said.

The Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinic at AIIMS Guwahati operates every Tuesday and a prior appointment via email (available on the AIIMS Guwahati website) is required. Upon vaccination, recipients receive a yellow fever vaccination card with lifelong validity.

The nodal officer at AIIMS Guwahati noted that some people paid large sums to private providers for the vaccine. “Such certificates are not recognised by authorities and may lead to difficulties during travel. Therefore, all citizens are advised to receive the yellow fever vaccine only from authorized centres such as AIIMS Guwahati,” the institute stated in a release to TOI, on Monday.

Even well-informed people have faced issues due to misinformation and urgency around foreign travel. Many were misled by travel agents or opted for quick vaccinations from private sources, only to face complications during visa documentation.

Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for travel to 42 countries, including Kenya, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Nigeria, and Bolivia.

Recognising the need for accessible vaccination services in the region, AIIMS Guwahati received approval from the Union ministry of health and family welfare to establish a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre. Inaugurated in Sept 2023 by executive director Dr Ashok Puranik, “the clinic has since administered 1,033 vaccinations, serving travellers from all seven northeastern states who previously had to travel to Kolkata or Delhi to receive the vaccine”, AIIMS Guwahati stated.