You are correct in needing the vaccination. It should be available in your area at travel medicine clinics - and in some states in larger chain pharmacies. Only clinics with a special "yellow fever site" designation are able to provide this vaccine. They have the ability to purchase the vaccine from the manufacturer and to administer it - along with providing an international yellow fever certificate which you MUST have to enter a country requiring yellow fever. You will not be able to get the vaccine from your primary care provider - unless your PCP happens to be a designated site. The vaccine has recently been deemed a "one time in lifetime" designation by the WHO and the CDC - BUT not all countries have adopted this ruling. Historically, the vaccine was required to be given once every 10 years. It is a live virus vaccine - so if you are taking certain medicines or have a problem with your immune system, you may not be a candidate for the vaccine or if you are allergic to eggs (no cake, pasta etc. type of allergy), you will need to get an "exempt" letter from the travel medicine clinic. While this might be necessary for some people, the vaccine is for your protection - you don't want to contract this deadly disease. You can also find travel medicine clinics worldwide by going to www.istm.org - an organization that many travel medicine specialists around the world are members.

There is a difference between "recommendation" and "required". The CDC recommends many vaccines because the disease is either active or endemic in the country in question. If it is required - it is just that. The country will require proof of vaccine before you can enter. If it is "recommended" by CDC - it is not required - but hopefully you do not want to risk the possibility of contracting that particular disease and vaccine is recommended. A travel medicine clinic can evaluate your risk for contracting the disease and counsel you on options you might have. You can find out if the vaccine is "required" or "recommended" for a particular country at www.cdc.gov/travel.