International certificate of vaccination
The official WHO document in which your travel vaccinations are recorded. Recognised worldwide, required at some borders — and issued at DKliniek during your consultation.
What is it?
The International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is laid down in the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization. Because of its yellow cover almost everyone calls it the yellow booklet — it is the same document.
It is personal, issued in English and French, and only valid with the signature and stamp of a recognised vaccination centre. Douane officials, embassies and universities accept it worldwide.
What is recorded in it
- Your name, date of birth and signature
- Vaccine name and batch number
- Date of administration and validity period
- Signature and stamp of the practitioner
- The official stamp of the vaccination clinic
When do you need it?
Not every country asks for it, but in these situations it is essential:
Yellow fever
The only vaccination countries are legally allowed to demand. Without a valid entry in your certificate you can be refused at the border.
Hajj & Umrah
Saudi Arabia requires meningococcal ACWY. The certificate must be at least 10 days old and no older than 5 years on arrival.
Visa, study and work
Embassies, universities and employers often ask for official proof of your vaccinations, for example for the United States.
Your own record
Even without an obligation it is valuable: on your next trip your practitioner immediately sees which shots you already had.
How long is a vaccination valid?
The booklet itself does not expire — the individual vaccinations do. An indication of the most common ones:
| Vaccination | Validity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow fever | Lifelong | Valid from 10 days after the injection |
| Meningococcal ACWY | 5 years | Required for Saudi Arabia |
| DTP | 10 years | Diphtheria, tetanus and polio |
| Hepatitis A | Approx. 30 years after 2 doses | The first dose already protects |
| Hepatitis B | Lifelong after the full series | 3 doses |
| Typhoid | 3 years | Single injection |
Validity depends on your age, health and previous doses. Your practitioner determines the exact schedule during the consultation — see also all vaccinations.
Practical matters
You get it with us
During your consultation we issue the certificate and record every vaccination with stamp and signature. Already have one? Bring it along and we complete it.
Lost or full?
We can issue a new certificate based on your file. Vaccinated elsewhere? Request your records from that clinic, GP or public health service first.
Paper stays leading
There is no globally accepted digital version yet. Keep a photo as backup, but always take the original with the stamp.
Take good care of your certificate
- Carry the certificate in your hand luggage, together with your passport
- Take a photo or scan as a backup on your phone
- Bring it to every next consultation, also at another clinic
- Keep it dry and flat — a damaged stamp can cause discussion
- Check before departure that dates and stamps are clearly legible
Frequently asked questions
Arrange your certificate
Book an appointment and receive your international certificate during the consultation, completed and stamped.