New Delhi, Aug 21 : A total of 6,000 vials of yellow fever vaccine were distributed in India in July to tide over its shortage, the Lok Sabha was informed.

In addition, the government ordered for 2.57 lakh doses from the World Health Organisation, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Tuesday.

The first consignment of 128,530 doses was received at the Central Research Institute at Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh.

Earlier, travellers to yellow fever affected countries were told to buy the vaccine from the market.

Visas to Africa and tropical and sub-tropical South American countries are given only after applicants submit a yellow fever certificate given by one of India's 15 authorised vaccination centres.(IANS)