Latest WHO proposed updates for Yellow Fever Vaccine - Jan 2014

134th session                                                                                                             EB134.R10

Agenda item 10.1                                                                                             24 January 2014

Implementation of the International

Health Regulations (2005)

The Executive Board,

Having considered the report on Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005),1

RECOMMENDS to the Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly the adoption of the following resolution:

The Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly,

Recalling the recent meeting and report of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization,2 which completed its scientific review and analysis of evidence on issues concerning vaccination against yellow fever and concluded that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine is sufficient to confer sustained immunity and life-long protection against yellow fever disease, and that a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine is not needed;

Noting that in its report the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization recommended   that   WHO   should   revisit   the   provisions   in   the   International   Health Regulations (2005) relating to the period of validity for international certificates for vaccination against yellow fever,

1.       ADOPTS, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 55 of the International Health Regulations  (2005),  the  updated  Annex  7  of  the  International  Health  Regulations  (2005) attached to this resolution.

Proposed revisions to International Health Regulations (2005), Annex 7

ANNEX 7

REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING VACCINATION OR PROPHYLAXIS FOR SPECIFIC DISEASES

1.       In  addition  to  any  recommendation  concerning  vaccination  or  prophylaxis,  the  following diseases are those specifically designated under these Regulations for which proof of vaccination or prophylaxis may be required for travellers as a condition of entry to a State Party:

Vaccination against yellow fever.

1 Document EB134/32.

2 Meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization, April 2013 – conclusions and recommendations. Weekly epidemiological record. 2013;88(20):201–216 (http://www.who.int/wer/2013/wer8820.pdf, accessed 22 November 2013).

EB134.R10

2.      Recommendations and requirements for vaccination against yellow fever: (a)     For the purpose of this Annex:

(i)      the incubation period of yellow fever is six days;

(ii)     yellow  fever  vaccines  approved  by  WHO  provide  protection  against  infection starting 10 days following the administration of the vaccine;

(iii)    this protection continues for the life of the person vaccinated 10 years; and

(iv)    the validity of a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever shall extend for the life of the person vaccinated a period of 10 years, beginning 10 days after the date of vaccination or, in the case of a revaccination within such period of 10 years, from the date of that revaccination.

(b)     Vaccination against yellow fever may be required of any traveller leaving an area where the Organization has determined that a risk of yellow fever transmission is present.

(c)     If a traveller is in possession of a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever which is not yet valid, the traveller may be permitted to depart, but the provisions of paragraph 2(h) of this Annex may be applied on arrival.

(d)     A traveller in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever shall not be treated as suspect, even if coming from an area where the Organization has determined that a risk of yellow fever transmission is present.

(e)     In accordance with paragraph 1 of Annex 6 the yellow fever vaccine used must be approved by the Organization.

(f)      States  Parties  shall  designate  specific  yellow  fever  vaccination  centres  within  their territories in order to ensure the quality and safety of the procedures and materials employed.

(g)     Every  person  employed  at  a  point  of  entry  in  an  area  where  the  Organization  has determined that a risk of yellow fever transmission is present, and every member of the crew of a conveyance using any such point of entry, shall be in possession of a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.

(h)     A State Party, in whose territory vectors of yellow fever are present, may require a traveller from an area where the Organization has determined that a risk of yellow fever transmission is present, who is unable to produce a valid certificate of vaccination against yellow fever, to be quarantined until the certificate becomes valid, or until a period of not more than six days, reckoned from the date of last possible exposure to infection, has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

(i)      Travellers  who  possess  an  exemption  from  yellow  fever  vaccination,  signed  by  an authorized medical officer or an authorized health worker, may nevertheless be allowed entry, subject to the provisions of the foregoing paragraph of this Annex and to being provided with information regarding protection from yellow fever vectors. Should the travellers not be quarantined, they may be required to report any feverish or other symptoms to the competent authority and be placed under surveillance.

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Eleventh meeting, 24 January 2014

EB134/SR/11

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