There is no single US price for the yellow fever vaccine: CDC says prices vary by provider and insurance, and many health plans give no or limited coverage for travel vaccines, so plan to pay some or all of it yourself. You can only get it at an authorized yellow fever vaccination clinic, which you can find with CDC's clinic search by state or zip code. Call 2 or 3 clinics and ask for a total price before you book. One dose protects most people for life, so for most travelers this is a one-time cost.
Why is there no standard price?
Each clinic sets its own price. CDC's travel FAQ says only that prices vary by provider and insurance coverage, and CDC's travel health pages do not list a price for yellow fever vaccine.
Only one yellow fever vaccine, YF-VAX, is licensed in the US, and it has had shortages. From 2015 to 2021, during a US shortage, a similar vaccine made in France, Stamaril, was imported and used instead. Because supply has been uneven, ask each clinic whether it has doses in stock.
We don't quote a dollar range on this page because we could not find one from CDC or another primary source. Any number you see online is one clinic's price, not a national rate.
Does insurance cover the yellow fever vaccine?
Often not. CDC's Yellow Book says many health insurance plans provide no or limited coverage for travel vaccines and preventive travel medicines. Yellow fever vaccine is a travel vaccine, so check your plan before you assume it is covered.
Coverage depends on your plan, so call your insurer before the appointment. Ask whether yellow fever vaccine is covered, whether the clinic is in network, and whether the cost of giving the shot or the visit is covered even if the vaccine is not. CDC notes many insurers reimburse the cost of giving a vaccine.
- Ask your insurer: Is yellow fever vaccine covered? Is this clinic in network?
- Ask about the visit: Is a travel consult or office visit covered separately?
- Get it in writing: Note the name of the person you spoke to and the date.
Where can I get the yellow fever vaccine?
Only at an authorized yellow fever vaccination clinic. In the US, state and territorial health departments decide which clinics can give it. Your regular doctor or pharmacy can't give it unless they are an authorized clinic.
Use CDC's Search for Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics. You can click your state on a map, pick it from a list, or enter your zip code and choose a radius of 10 to 100 miles. CDC warns the nearest clinic may be far from you and appointments may be limited, so call well before you travel.
The authorized clinic fills out and stamps your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, the yellow card. That card is your proof of vaccination, and some countries can deny entry to travelers who don't have it.
What should I ask a clinic when I call for a price?
Prices are hard to compare unless you know what each one includes. Ask each clinic for one total out-of-pocket number.
- Do you have yellow fever vaccine in stock right now, and when is your next opening?
- What is the total price if I pay myself, including the vaccine, the shot, and any visit fee?
- Do you charge a separate travel consult fee, and is it waived if I get the shot there?
- Will I leave with a completed, stamped yellow card?
- Do you take my insurance for any part of the visit?
Will I have to pay for it again?
For most people, no. CDC says 1 dose gives life-long protection, and a completed yellow card is valid for life.
There are exceptions. CDC recommends another dose for some groups, such as people who were pregnant at their first dose, people who had a stem cell transplant after being vaccinated, and people living with HIV. Travelers going to an area with an ongoing outbreak may consider a booster if 10 or more years have passed.
Timing matters too. The certificate is not valid until 10 days after your shot, so book early enough that day 10 lands before you arrive.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911Contact your provider the same day if you get fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, vomiting, or diarrhea after the yellow fever vaccine. CDC lists these as reasons to see a provider after vaccination.
Mild soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot went in, low fever, headache, and muscle aches are common and usually pass.
Call 911 if you see signs of a severe allergic reaction after the shot: hives, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness. This can happen after you leave the clinic.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›What if I can't get the vaccine for medical reasons?
Some people should not get it. CDC lists infants 6 months or younger, people allergic to the vaccine or something in it such as eggs, organ transplant recipients, people with cancer, a primary immunodeficiency, or immune-suppressing treatment, and people with HIV who have symptoms or low CD4 counts. CDC's information statement also says to talk with your provider if you have a thymus disorder or had your thymus removed. Adults over 60, pregnant or breastfeeding people, and babies 6 to 8 months need a careful talk about risks first.
If you have a medical reason not to get it, a provider at an authorized clinic can give you a medical waiver letter. Waivers are only for medical reasons, and CDC notes the country you are visiting may not accept one, so contact its embassy or consulate well before you go.
Common questions
How much is the yellow fever vaccine?
There is no single US price. CDC says prices vary by provider and insurance, and many plans give no or limited coverage for travel vaccines, so most people pay out of pocket. Call 2 or 3 authorized clinics and ask for a total price that includes the vaccine, the shot, and any visit fee.
Can I get the yellow fever vaccine at CVS or Walgreens?
Only if that location is an authorized yellow fever vaccination clinic. State health departments decide which clinics can give it. Search CDC's yellow fever clinic list by zip code and call ahead to confirm they have doses.
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for the yellow fever vaccine?
We could not confirm this from a primary source, so check with your plan directly. CDC notes that many plans give no or limited coverage for travel vaccines, so be ready to pay yourself if your plan says no.
Do I need a booster if I got it years ago?
Usually not. CDC says 1 dose protects most people for life and the yellow card is valid for life. Some people, such as those pregnant at their first dose or living with HIV, need another dose, and travelers to active outbreaks may consider one after 10 or more years.
How far ahead should I get it?
At least 10 days before you arrive, because the certificate is not valid until 10 days after the shot. CDC warns clinics can be far away with limited appointments, so call well in advance.
Is there a cheaper way to get it?
Compare total prices between authorized clinics on CDC's list, and ask your insurer whether it pays for the visit or the cost of giving the shot. CDC also points out that getting sick from a vaccine-preventable disease abroad can cost far more than the vaccine itself.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.