Travel: Your questions answered by our panel of travel experts

Do I really need a yellow fever jab?

A friend of mine had a yellow fever jab in order to go to West Africa. They were told to have the vaccination 10 days before going. Is vaccination really necessary, and why the 10-day wait?

Jeremy Lloyd

Cardiff

Larry Goodyer replies: Yellow fever is a serious, potentially life threatening, viral infection spread by the bite of a mosquito, for which there is no cure. There is general damage to blood vessels, and the liver and kidney can begin to fail. The liver failure results in jaundice hence the yellowing of the skin which gives the condition its name. It can be spread by the mosquito from person to person or via monkeys. It is endemic in some countries of Africa and South America.

It is not surprising therefore that the authorities in tropical countries are keen to prevent the condition becoming more widespread or being imported into their country. It is the only vaccination where a recognised international certificate may be required before entry is allowed to certain countries, for example Rwanda. In other destinations a certificate may be required if travelling from a yellow fever endemic area. Even if a certificate is not required for entry it may still be advisable to have the vaccine if yellow fever is a risk. Check carefully with your doctor or vaccination clinic.

The vaccine itself, which is not available on the NHS, is very effective and will give protection for 10 years after a single jab. It is important to note that a certificate is not valid until 10 days have elapsed after receiving the injection. This is because it takes some time for the immunity to become established, in other words if you are exposed to yellow fever before the 10-day period you could still catch it. Only certain centres are designated to store and administer the vaccine, although this list now includes a fair number of GPs.

Dr Larry Goodyer is superintendent of the Nomad Pharmacy (3-4 Turnpike Lane, London N8, Tel: 0181 889 7014) a store which travellers can visit for their medical and other needs.

Is it safe to go to Zimbabwe?

We have been planning to holiday in Zimbabwe this summer, but are now very concerned about the anti-government riots. Is it still safe?

Annalisa Heathcote

Darlington

Jill Crawshaw replies: I have recently returned from Zimbabwe (on 31 January). After spending 10 days in the country I can report that I saw no signs of the disturbances, which have largely been in protest against food price increases.

The tourist beat has to date been almost wholly unaffected. Very few tourists stray into the capital Harare after all - on arriving at the airport from the UK, they fly out again almost immediately either to Victoria Falls, Kariba or Hwange.

At Victoria Falls, old-timers are still happily sipping their sundowners on the terrace of the Victoria Falls Hotel, while the energetic are bungie jumping off the bridge. A planned demonstration outside the supermarket attracted a police presence but no demonstrators.

Locals are dismayed at the fall in the value of the Zimbabwe dollar (I was getting 30 to the pound), which makes the country one of the best value in Africa for visitors, but which is crippling imports.

Northampton-based Africa Exclusive, one of the biggest specialists of tailor-made holidays to Zimbabwe reports no cancellations - "we get daily reports from our office in Harare," they say.

The Foreign Office reports that "tourist areas outside Harare have not been affected," and that "crime levels in Zimbabwe are generally low", though it does warn against pickpocketing, thefts from vehicles and passport theft.

Jill Crawshaw is a travel expert, writer and broadcaster.