By Matilda Ikediobi
The Chief Executive Officer of Inocul8, a social impact company focused on preventing infectious diseases, Emmanuel Egbroko, has called on Nigerians to ensure they obtain their yellow fever vaccination card at least 10 days before travelling abroad to avoid disruptions at airports.

Egbroko made the call in a statement highlighting the growing number of travellers being delayed or denied boarding due to invalid yellow cards.

According to him, many Nigerians remain unaware that the yellow fever vaccination certificate—commonly known as the yellow card—does not become valid immediately after vaccination.

“The yellow card only becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. This is a global health requirement, and failure to comply can lead to missed flights, denied boarding, or even refusal of entry into destination countries,” he said.

The yellow card serves as proof of vaccination against yellow fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, and is a mandatory entry requirement for several countries across Africa, Asia, and South America.

Egbroko noted that last-minute vaccination remains a common mistake among Nigerian travellers, often due to poor planning or lack of awareness.

“At Inocul8, we frequently see travellers rushing to get vaccinated just days before departure.

Unfortunately, this renders their yellow card invalid for travel and creates unnecessary stress and financial loss,” he added.

He further warned against obtaining vaccination cards from unauthorized sources, stressing that increased digitisation has made it easier for authorities to detect fake documents.

The Inocul8 CEO advised travellers to plan ahead, obtain their vaccination from approved centres, and keep their yellow card alongside other travel documents.

“A valid yellow card is not just a travel requirement—it is essential for protecting your health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to prioritise early preparation to ensure smooth and stress-free international travel.