Yellow Fever Vaccination in Mumbai, India

Yellow Fever Vaccination is a fairly simple process, but its currently a challenge as it can be done at only a handful of centers across the India, including in Mumbai. The vaccination card is yellow, as expected, though it has little information on it, and the validity of a card is ten years. The Yellow Fever Vaccination card becomes valid two weeks after vaccination is done, so if you plan to travel, make sure you get the vaccination done at least two weeks in advance for hassle-free travel. However, in my experience most countries don't check this, but it's still good to follow this rule; woes else it would be at your own risk.


What is Yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Yellow fever vaccine can prevent yellow fever. 

Yellow fever can cause:      
1. Fever and flu-like illness     
2. Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)     
3. Liver, kidney, respiratory and other organ system failure     
4. Vomiting blood     
5. Death
- Ref

Yellow Fever is common on the African continent and so for anyone visiting there needs to get vaccinated for it. It’s not just for your own safety, but also to contain the disease where it’s endemic today and prevent its spread to the rest of the world.

Here is a scan of my Yellow Fever card, in case anyone is curious.

yellow fever certiciate mumbai india vaccination
 
If you are in Maharashtra and want to get immunised, Mumbai is the only option. Pune was to get its own centre but that not yet happened. Since immunisation is tightly controlled, no private hospitals are allowed to provide this service. And the sufferer is usually the traveller. 

Currently in Mumbai there are only two places where you can get vaccination done. Let’s quickly see which one should you take up:

Nav Bhavan Building (Seaman Hospital)

As expected this option is far far worse. Many things do not work:

1. Google maps do not help as there is no such place as Seaman Hospital – you need to locate Ramji Kamani Marg on google maps and then ask for Nav Bhavan building
2. Its extremely crowded very early in the morning as well – at 6.30am there are already 100 names in the list
3. The place says no lists should be made but, of course, there is a list and you need to put your name on it as soon as you reach. Having your name in the first 100 is no guarantee that you will get vaccinated that day.
4. No place to sit once line is formed and you are expected to line up in the open – even when it rains like Mumbai rains ;)
5. On top of all, the staff is rude at best, especially when it comes to talking to those who are in the line

Requirements for Yellow Fever Vaccination:
1. Original passport (NOT a copy)

Address:
Nav Bhavan Building
Ramji Kamani Marg
Ballard Estate
Mumbai – 400 038

Timings: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Number of people vaccinated: 100
Cost: Rs 300
Working days: Monday to Friday
Phone number: 022 22612256 (no one ever picks)


Airport Health Organization building

This is by far the better of the two options. Some great stuff about this place:

1. Easy to locate, its located below the flyover which goes towards the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
2. Less crowded – actually not crowded at all
3. No need to line up from 5am onwards!
4. Place to sit as you wait for your turn
5. Friendly staff and you can also buy tea from the canteen right there in the building
6. Toilet within the building as well as in the seating area
7. Air-conditioned seating area with TV 

Requirements for Yellow Fever Vaccination:


1. A confirmed ticket to any of the countries where Yellow Fever is endemic
2. Your original passport/ CDC (NOT a copy)

Address:
Airport Health Organization
Below International Airport Flyover
Vile Parle
Mumbai – 400 009

Phone number: 022 26828991 (no one ever picks)
Timings: 10.00 am to 11.30 pm
Number of people vaccinated: 70
Cost: Rs 300
Working days: Monday to Friday

The choice to pick one amongst the two is fairly straightforward. If you have the reserved ticket, you must absolutely visit the Airport Health Organization building, and if you do not have a reserved ticket you need to go to the Nav Bhavan building (Seaman hospital). If you must go to the second option, make sure you reach there before 5am, if you come later your chances of vaccination the same day would be dim.

My personal experience

I started from Pune at before 4am and reached a little after 6.30am at the building for vaccination. Everyday there are only 100 visitors who get vaccinated and I was number 104 in the list (where you put in your name and passport number). I decided to take a chance and wait. By eight there were 132 names. Initially we were all in an old room of Nav bhavan on the ground floor, but around 9.30 am they asked us to move out and line up. The line was made on the basis of the list and one of the visitors actually volunteered to help in this. I was well within 100 at this time, as about 12 people were gone already.

Nav Bhavan Building Seaman hospital Mumbai yellow fever certiciate mumbai india vaccination
Waiting inside early in the morning...
Nav Bhavan Building Seaman hospital yellow fever certiciate mumbai india vaccination
The crowd waiting before forming a line...
Nav Bhavan Building Seaman hospital yellow fever certiciate mumbai india vaccination
Some notices on wall - none are followed

They take two batches of 50 each (or so I think) and so you basically have to wait for a long time to even know if you will get a chance. I was in the line from 9.30 to 12.30 and only then go to know that I won’t get my turn today. It seems many who were not in the line originally, managed to sneak in. Unfortunately no one was in the line after no 85 could vaccinated – despite standing in alternative sun and intense rains!

After trying unsuccessfully at the Seaman Hospital, I decided to book a confirmed ticket to my destination and try again the next morning at Airport Health Organization building. I was super frustrated after my first attempt and so went to the best five star hotel around, sat in AC, ordered black coffee and chilled for a while! I also came to the Airport building once to check the timings and locate the place so that I do not struggle in the morning and waste some precious minutes. The guard told me to come around 8am.

However, after my experience at the Nav Bhavan Building, I came here at 6am and entered my name in the list right away – I was number seven there :) You can sit at the canteen and sip tea till 8.30am when they open the seating area and you can wait there till 10.00am when the vaccination actually starts. There is a TV, air conditioning and food - what more can one ask? The vaccination process takes almost no time, and its super well organized. You go in batches of ten and the doctor takes less than ten seconds to vaccinate, and before you even know you are out in the open and happy with the day :)

Airport Health Organisation yellow fever certiciate mumbai india vaccination
Airport Health Organisation building 
yellow fever certiciate mumbai india vaccination airport building canteen
The canteen :)

Comments

  1. Hey! Nice blog. I also got my yellow fever vaccine recently and wrote about my personal experience here: http://ddevaki.blogspot.in/2015/08/yellow-fever-vaccine.html

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    1. Dear Sid, your information about Yellow fever Vaccinations is very informative and a real nexus in such organizations which are for public dealing. I know many of you might have visited other countries, and I am sure you will agree that, indian public dealing offices are always rude to their own citizens and a hinderance for your jobs. Situation of offices or such centres are far or more worst as you narreted. I don't find a change happening even with the education, I think its in there training to trouble people when they have chance to do so.

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    2. Dear Sid, your information about Yellow fever Vaccinations is very informative and a real nexus in such organizations which are for public dealing. I know many of you might have visited other countries, and I am sure you will agree that, indian public dealing offices are always rude to their own citizens and a hinderance for your jobs. Situation of offices or such centres are far or more worst as you narreted. I don't find a change happening even with the education, I think its in there training to trouble people when they have chance to do so.

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  2. nice post! being a seafarer (well, atleast by career ;) ), i had got myself vaccinated at the Nav Bhavan itself about 6-7 years back. didn't know about the airport option then. but the situation wasn't that bad as it seems now from your blog-post. but now i know where to go for the renewal-process!

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    1. Absolutely! Also, from what I have heard it's much worse on some days than others. It's a lot of luck :)

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  3. Thanks for this much needed information!

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  4. Thank you very much for this information and review.
    I would be going there tomorrow for my vaccination and as terribly insufferable as the whole experience sounds, I really do hope to find a way to get this over with. Thanks to your tip, I aim to be there sufficiently early too.

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  5. Can I take this vaccine without a confirmed ticket? As I am planning to visit Kenya soon AND don't want a last minute rush, so wanted to get this done first.

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    1. You can get it without a ticket at the Nav Bhavan building but not at the airport health organization building.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Confirmed ticket no more required for yellow fever vaccine. Only passport is enough as per today 14 Jun 2017.

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  6. I saw in the some other posts on Internet that now bother YFV and OPV are available at J J Hospital Byculla also. Not sure is it open on Saturdays. Any idea? Timings are 9:30 am to 12:30 pm that I can see in all those posts.

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    1. That would be great, but I am not sure about this. Do let me know if you have any experience on this and with your permission I will update the blog with the info :)

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  7. Yes,
    The vaccination is available at JJ Hospital, unfortunately they do not seem to have the details online.
    There is also a private center TravelSafe Clinic, located in Chembur, where you can get the WHO approved STAMARIL (Yellow Fever Vaccination) very conveniently at any working day, with prior appointment.
    You can visit travelsafeclinic.com or call at +91801077772 for more information.

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    Replies
    1. This no longer services, they have stopped!

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  8. And here is our latest blog that talks about travelers experience at JJ hospital Mumbai for Yellow Fever Vaccination.
    http://yellowfevervaccine.blogspot.in/2015/11/new-yellow-fever-vaccination-center-in.html

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    1. Is the yellow fever centre at JJ hospital government approved ? I don't see it in the list of Govt approved centres and it's required to get the vaccine from a Govt approved vaccine centre.

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  9. Hi Sid. I was following your blog regarding the yellow fever and came across the above link which is the updated list of approved yellow fever centers....Apparantly, JJ Hospital is also in the list of approved center..

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  10. Today, i.e., on Dec 18th, I had gone for yellow fever vaccination at Nava Bhavan Building (Mumbai). There I got to know that yellow fewer vaccination is available at Grant Medical College (KEM Hospital) and Sir JJ Group of Hospital (JJ Hospital) in Mumbai. Timings are from morning 9 am till 12 noon.
    In Pune, Sasoon General Hospital also has the facility for this vaccination. - Ganesh Naik.

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    Replies
    1. That's really good to know Ganesh! Let me reconfirm that and then I can add that information also on the blog...

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  11. Hi joshi.. U mentioned I book ticket to my destination. Means which place? If I have any domestic flight ticket is it possible to get yellow fever vaccination at airport health organization

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  12. Hi joshi.. U mentioned I book ticket to my destination. Means which place? If I have any domestic flight ticket is it possible to get yellow fever vaccination at airport health organization

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    1. I had booked my tickets to Tanzania. Domestic flight tickets won't work - they have to be a destination for which you need the Yellow Fever certification...

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  13. Thanks. Same day I went Visa application centre. So no time,I tried Ballard estate, succeed . I reached around 7clock. I got 42 number.But tough to get vaccination there. JJ hospital also yellow fever vaccination available

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    1. Thanks Subhash for sharing your experience...I am sure it would be much helpful to many others also.

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  14. A very random question but is there parking available at the Airport Health Organisation ?

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    1. I think you can park your two wheeler...not sure about a car though.

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  15. Updated requirements for Seaman.
    1. If you take passport and CDC then there is no need to have a ticket booking to yellow fever affected country. Only passport and Seaman book (CDC) is sufficient at Airport Health Organisation.
    2. The vaccine is available in 10 doses therefore if there are only 19 people in line only 10 people will get vaccinated and the remaining 10 will be asked to come next day.

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    1. Are you sure? TheeThe no need of the confirmed ticket for the vacconvacci? Please reply asap brother

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  16. Hello Sid, thanks for the detailed information. I have a different question for you. Do you know the procedure to get the medical waiver certificate and how long does this take? I only have 5 days before my departure to Kenya. Please let me know if you have any information on this.

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  17. Hello Sid, thanks for the detailed information. I have a different question for you. Do you know the procedure to get the medical waiver certificate and how long does this take? I only have 5 days before my departure to Kenya. Please let me know if you have any information on this.

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  18. Hi, I'm traveling to luanda(Angola) my daughter is 7month old, is the procedure same for children also, do they have to wait for so long, is there anyway i get to know the procedure...

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  19. There is a new center in mumbai at JJ Hospital. However not enough information is available about the same.
    Here are some Traveler tips about immunization for Polio & Yellow Fever at JJ Hospital Mumbai.

    "The yellow fever
    Vaccination is available at J J Hospital, Byculla. Following is the process...
    Visit the OPD Department of the Hospital (Entry through Gate No. 6 of the Hospital)From the Central Counter (It is right in the middle with many Windows. take a Slip for OPV by showing your passport and Pay Rs. 10.
    After Taking the Slip Go to Room Nos 50.
    Show your slip to the Guys at Computer and follow as directed from thereon.
    Please note timings are from 9.30 to 12.30 only. You need to reach hospital before 12.00 to complete the process within the time.Rs. 10 is the fee for 1st time registration. The immunization is now done in Room No. 50 You can get both Yellow Fever and Polio in Room No. 50. Rupees 300 for yellow fever
    Vaccination.only document required original passport

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    1. Yes This one worked perfect for me today..
      I was 10th person to walk in to ward 50 at 9:45 with my OPV slip and the 9 people waiting greeted me in chorus!

      Well some were waiting in from 8:30
      and the vaccination is done in batch of 10 so with me walking in their wait was over...!

      They also offer Oral Polio Vaccination ( that is what the OPV stnds for) and it is required to certain countries in Africa Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia etc.. as there are recent reports of outbreak there..

      OPV is administered free of Charge for those travelling to these countries.

      A certificate is issued which is valid for one year.

      Yellow Fever Vaccination Rs. 300

      Walked out at 11:00

      and there were 3 persons waiting for next 7 to complete the batch.

      Vasant Sohoni
      +91-9892330206

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  20. Good information, Thanks Siddharth. The Airport Health Organisation (APHO) has now introduced a facility for advance booking through email. You can email yfvaphomumbai@gmail.com. As of now this facility is on a pilot basis from August 19, 2016 till Nov 30, 2016.
    We had gone to APHO today and had a pleasant experience. They do up to 70 vaccinations in a day and today the number of applicants was fewer than that, so even last minute walk-ins were accommodated.

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  21. Thanks for all the information here: May i check with Hemant Patel- where can I get an application form for the Yellow fever and polio shot? Will this be available at JJ? Many thanks!

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  22. Siddharth, great blog post! Very, very valuable information indeed!

    BTW, does anyone know if someone with a US passport can get vaccinated for yellow fever at one of the two places above, because they are traveling to an African country that requires such vaccination. That is, do these places only serve Indian citizens, or will anyone (with a valid passport) and tickets be vaccinated?

    Thanks,
    -Vishal

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  23. Thanks to this blog and its comments, i got an appointment at the airport for my vaccine. Will update later how it went about.

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  24. Very helpful information Siddharth. Thanks for your efforts and time for such a detail blog. Rashi

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  25. Hi Sid,
    Just an update on the process at Apho Mumbai. Firstly, the centre is located right next to J W Marriott airport hotel. I reached at 9.05am and waited in a queue outside the gate. At 9.30am the let the queue in an orderly fashion into the waiting Hall after checking their documents (passport and air ticket) and for seamen (passport and CDC book- not Bermuda ID). They give a former to fill to enter your particulars and on the reverse side a declaration that you are not having any allergies, Aids etc). Then after some time you proceed to the counter where you pay your fee 300rs and get your receipt. Then you wait. At around 11.20am the doctor comes and then the process of vaccination commences. Please note that they give the forms only to groups of 10 so if your group is not complete, then you will have to wait till hopefully someone arrives to complete the group. No canteen is operational so advisable to carry a bottle of water. Toilet facilities are available. I noticed that people were still entering from the official opening time of 10am so it is not a chaotic process like other places and also there are chairs and ac in the waiting lounge. Hope this information helps.

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    1. Thanks. This helps. Does it require any prior appointment or you can walk in during working days?

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  26. Hey Siddharth, my question is slightly off topic. Noticed that you had visited Tanzania.
    We are planning to go there some time in March, but are getting all kinds of varied information on obtaining a visa. Could you help us out? From what we understand, you have to get a visa on arrival. What are the documents required for this, besides the basics (passport, return ticket, Yellow Fever certificate etc)

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  27. Can I take vaccine 2-3 months prior to the journey. I am visiting Nairobi in July- August. How earlier I can get vaccine ? I have to take Yellow fever & Polio vaccine , Am I correct ? Siddharth can you clarify , Thanks
    Dr Tandale

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  28. Thanks for your blog. It was very informative. I shall use the Airport walla option...btw...you went to Tanzania?? To climb Kilimanjaro?

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  29. Thanks for the info.. Really helpful.

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  30. Did anybody visit the APHO recently? Is the process still the same? What time should we go to ensure we get the vaccine the same day? Is there an option of advance booking of appointment?

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  31. Information of Yellow fever vaccination at JJ Hospital at Byculla Mumbai as on 12 May,2017

    I reached the JJ Hospital entry through gate no.6 at 730 am as there will be lots of people for the OPD as per information I received.

    I entered the big hall with a board written No.11 this room has many counters. Hall no. 11 is common counters for OPD and only place a slight rush other wise everthing else will be fast.


    Go to any counter ask for Yellow fever vaccination , provide them your passport or photo copy of passport along with photo ID in original they will charge rupees 10 and give you a card and tell you to proceed to room no 50 for immunisation.

    Room no 50 is ten steps away from room 11 counters. Here doctors will make entry's from your passport or passport copy and ask you to have breakfast and return as they require ten people batch.

    A senior doctor will provide with information about yellow fever vaccinate you and charge you rupees 300 for vaccination. Polo drops are also provided if required. All this activity was completed by 09.30 Am.

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  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  33. Some updates about the Airport Health Center:

    1. The operator does pick up the phone if you call him after 12. In fact I asked him if I can get the vaccination without original passport which is at the embassy. He told me to come with a copy of the original embassy receipt and a copy of the passport.

    2. The quality of waiting area has deteriorated. No canteen. The AC in the main waiting hall is under capacity so the room gets hot.

    3. Positive side is that the whole process is streamlined. I went at 8:15. Had to stand in queue outside on the pavement till 9:00. Then we were allowed to queue in the compound and waited for another 25 min. Then we were allowed in the main hall. The whole process got over by 11:45. My serial Number was 40.

    4. Could be better particularly by starting online appointment. But on the whole not too harrowing. I guess it would be worse if you go in the rainy season.

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  34. Nice Article!!!!! Thnk u Soo much..

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  35. Went to JJ hospital (14-Jun-2017), got my vaccination done. I took a taxi from Byculla station and went to some other gate, you need to enter through GATE NO.6 and then window/counter no. 11, a good queue awaits there in COUNTER NO.11 after reg. you will be asked to go to vaccination section ROOM NO. 50 There enter the room and REG YOURSELF FIRST ( a log/reg book they maintain )and wait till they call. Rest all is Govt. pace , The board reads they start at 9am but actually they start 10am and yeah, they strictly close at 12pm :)

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  36. Thank you. Very nicely written .

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  37. I am a seafarer(Cadet) can i get the vaccination near the airport without a ticket and just by my CDC?

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    Replies
    1. airport centre asked me confirmed ticket.unless no vaccination can be done.trouble some approach.

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  38. excellent yellow fever vaccination service im SIR JJ HOSPITAL MUMBAI.
    the procedure is very simple than the airport.centre.
    45 min I was out with certificate.

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    Replies
    1. Can we get vaccination only.on passport at JJ HOSPITAL ???

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  39. Yellow Fever Vaccine is available at.................
    Family Welfare Training & Research Centre,
    Ministry of Health & FW, (GOI)
    332, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Road Khetwadi Mumbai-4,
    Phone No. 022-23881724
    Monday, Wednesday and Friday.. at 2-4 Pm yellow fever vaccine is available.

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    Replies
    1. Family Welfare Training & Research Centre,
      Ministry of Health & FW is the best place in Mumbai for yellow fever vaccination.
      The staff is very cooperative and helpful, very neat and clean and less crowded (maximum 10-15 people).
      The registration starts at 2PM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and you will get the certificate within in one hour (including 30 minutes monitoring period after vaccination)
      The document required is your passport.
      I went there for yellow fever vaccination on 16/02/2018. The process started at 2pm and I got the certificate at 3.15pm.

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    2. Thank You very much your complement. I would like to extend our promise to all provide the quality services at our centre. Thank you again.

      Delete

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  41. Airport is the best place . Went at 0800 hrs done by 1200 hrs. On 11/6/18.
    Only PP required no CDC or Ticket. If you go by 0600hrs youll be number 20.

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    Replies
    1. Do not wast your time at JJ or Seamans Centre

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    2. Were you a walk-in or took a prior appointment?

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  42. Hey, I got my vaccine from nav bhavan too a few months ago and want to know what's the certificate number that I have to put in places where I am asked for it.

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