Houston has more than a dozen CDC-authorized yellow fever vaccination clinics spread across the metro area, from the Medical Center to west Houston and Bellaire. You can get the vaccine at public health departments, private travel medicine clinics, major health systems like Kelsey-Seybold, and even select pharmacy locations like Walgreens and Randalls. The key is booking early: you need the shot at least 10 days before entering a country that requires it, and ideally 4 to 6 weeks before your trip.
Why You Can’t Just Go Anywhere
Yellow fever isn’t like a flu shot you can pick up at any corner pharmacy. Only clinics specifically designated by the CDC are authorized to administer the vaccine and issue the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly called the “yellow card.” This stamped certificate is a legal document that border officials in parts of Africa and South America will check before letting you enter. Your name on the certificate must match your passport exactly. Without it, you can be denied entry or forced into quarantine at the airport.
Not every doctor’s office carries the vaccine, and supply can fluctuate. Always call ahead to confirm a clinic has doses in stock before making the trip.
Public Health Option
The most affordable route is typically the Houston Health Department’s Sharpstown Health Services location at 6201 Bonhomme Road, South Tower, Third Floor (77036). You can reach them at 832-393-5427. For general travel health questions or to schedule an appointment, call the Houston Health Department’s main line at 832-393-4220. The call center is open Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This clinic handles a range of travel-related vaccinations beyond yellow fever, so it’s a good one-stop option if you need multiple shots before a trip.
Major Health Systems
Kelsey-Seybold operates two CDC-authorized locations in Houston. The downtown clinic is at 1200 McKinney Street, Suite 473 (713-442-4700), and a second location sits at 2727 West Holcombe Boulevard (713-442-3932). Kelsey-Seybold’s travel clinic offers a full menu of travel immunizations, but there’s a catch if you’re not already a patient: you’ll need a letter from your primary care doctor confirming you’re in good health before they’ll administer the vaccine.
Private Clinics and Pharmacies
Houston has a solid selection of private clinics authorized for yellow fever vaccination. These tend to be the easiest to get into quickly, especially if you’re not established with one of the larger health systems.
- The Immunization Clinic West, 16225 Park Ten Place, Suite 519 (77084), 281-299-9664
- Augusta Family Medicine, 2951 Chimney Rock Road (77056), 713-977-2970
- Bellaire Family and General Practice Associates, 5420 Dashwood, Suite 100 (77081), 713-664-0719
- Victory Mission Center, 6420 Hillcroft, Suite 303 (77081), 713-270-4800
- Saint Johns Medical Group, 9180 Bellaire Blvd., Suite E (77082), 281-920-0344
- Executive Health Exams International, 5555 San Felipe Road, Suite 800 (77056), 713-622-9900
- Uptown Pharmacy, 1607 S. Post Oak Lane (77056), 713-621-0621
- Walgreens #3157, 3317 Montrose Boulevard (77006), 713-520-7777
The Walgreens on Montrose is one of the more convenient options if you’re looking for evening or weekend availability, though you should call first to confirm a pharmacist trained in yellow fever vaccination is on duty. Pharmacy locations sometimes have limited appointment slots for travel vaccines.
What to Expect on Cost
The yellow fever vaccine typically runs between $200 and $350 at private clinics, and that price often includes the consultation fee and the yellow card documentation. Some clinics charge separately for the office visit and the vaccine itself. Most standard health insurance plans do not cover travel vaccinations, so expect to pay out of pocket. It’s worth calling two or three clinics to compare pricing, as rates vary significantly across Houston providers. The Houston Health Department location tends to offer lower pricing than private clinics.
When to Get Vaccinated
The vaccine takes 10 days to become officially valid for international travel. That means if your destination requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, getting the shot nine days before your flight won’t count. The broader recommendation is to get vaccinated 4 to 6 weeks before departure. This buffer gives your immune system time to build full protection and leaves room to manage any side effects, which are usually mild (sore arm, low-grade fever, headache for a day or two).
A single dose provides lifelong protection for most travelers. The World Health Organization removed the 10-year booster requirement in 2016, and most countries now accept a single-dose certificate with no expiration date. Some countries have been slow to update their entry rules, so double-check the specific requirements for your destination on the CDC’s Travelers’ Health website.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Bring your passport so the clinic can print your name on the yellow card exactly as it appears in your travel documents. Even a small discrepancy, like a missing middle name, can cause problems at immigration. If you’ve been vaccinated for yellow fever before and need a replacement certificate, bring whatever documentation you have from the original vaccination. Clinics can reissue a replacement yellow card if they can confirm the details of your previous shot. Your travel itinerary is also helpful, since the provider may recommend additional vaccines based on where you’re going.
Finding the Full CDC List
The clinics listed above are a starting point, not an exhaustive list. The CDC maintains a searchable database of every authorized yellow fever vaccination clinic in the country at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow-fever-vaccination-clinics. You can search by zip code to find the closest option to your home or workplace. The database is updated regularly, so it’s the most reliable way to confirm a clinic’s current authorization status.