All questions about the yellow book answered!

When you come for your (travel) vaccinations, we always ask you to bring your yellow vaccination booklet, so that our nurse can place your vaccination stamp here and you know exactly which vaccinations you had and when. Yet we also often get questions about the yellow booklet. In this blog, we answer all the frequently asked questions around the vaccination booklet!

What is a vaccination booklet?

The vaccination booklet, officially the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (IVP), is an internationally recognised document that records all your vaccinations. It serves both as official proof of vaccination and as a personal record of the vaccinations you have received.

Travel to certain countries may require the vaccination booklet, for example when proof of yellow fever vaccination must be shown on entry. The booklet is prepared according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and is accepted worldwide. Do you already have a vaccination booklet? Then bring it with you to your appointment so that new vaccinations can be registered and stamped immediately.

How do I get a yellow vaccination booklet?

If you do not have a vaccination booklet in your possession, you can always purchase one at one of our locations. The vaccinations you receive during your appointment will then be incorporated into it right away.

What if I forget to bring my vaccination booklet to my appointment?

That's no problem! In that case, we can give you a sticker of the vaccine, which you can stick in on the right page at home. Our nurse will explain exactly how to do it!

What if I lose my vaccination booklet?

You can also come by for a vaccination appointment if you have lost your vaccination booklet. You can buy a new vaccination booklet from us. If you have previously visited Vaccinatiepunt, we can retrieve your vaccination details from the system and process them in your new booklet. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to stamp vaccines given by third parties.

Do I have to show my vaccination booklet on arrival at my travel destination?

You do not usually have to show your vaccination booklet by default during a trip. However, some countries may ask for official proof of vaccination on arrival, for example against yellow fever. This is often done at immigration, border control or health checks at the airport, port or a land border. If you are travelling to a country where vaccination is compulsory, it is wise to carry your vaccination booklet with you at all times. Without valid proof of vaccination, you may in some cases be refused entry, quarantined or still have to get a vaccination on arrival.

How do I know what vaccinations I have had in the past if I have lost my vaccination booklet?

One of the most crucial reasons to carry this booklet with you is that your vaccinations are not fully documented anywhere else. The only other place where your vaccinations are recorded is at the GGD where you received them. You can access this via my.rivm.co.uk. However, these records are kept for only 15 years. This means that if you want to access your vaccinations after that period, you can only rely on your yellow booklet. Your yellow vaccination booklet therefore remains the most important proof of previous vaccinations.

Should I always take it with me when travelling?

Not always, but yes to countries where a vaccination certificate is mandatory or possibly checked.

Extra tips for keeping your vaccination record!

• Keep it Safe: Make sure your yellow booklet is always kept in a safe place. Consider a fixed place in your home or in your travel case.
• Make Copies: Make digital or physical copies of your booklet. This can be useful if you lose the original.
• Check Regularly: Before you travel, check that all your vaccinations are up-to-date and that you do not need new vaccinations for your destination.

The yellow travel vaccination booklet is more than just a piece of paper; it is a crucial document that can protect your health and ease of travel. By keeping this booklet properly, you ensure that you can always prove your vaccinations, no matter where you are. It is an investment in your health and peace of mind that is absolutely worthwhile.