Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow fever Vaccination Yellow fever can be defined as a viral hemorrhagic disease that is easily transferred between humans or animals through the bites of mosquitoes infected by yellow fever. Generally, yellow fever is widespread in Africa and Latin America. However, importation of this disease has made yellow fever widespread throughout the world. According to statistics, yellow fever infections stand at 200,000 people per year globally. This disease is characterized by chills, vomiting, nausea, Headaches as well as muscle pains. The vaccination against yellow fever is done in regions where the disease is widespread. In this article, you will learn when and where you can get vaccinated and the precautions you should take.

Who Should Be Vaccinated Against Yellow Fever?
It is important to get the yellow fever vaccination if you are:

• A lab technician or helper where you have the likelihood of handling infected materials.


• Travelling to countries that require you to have a prophylaxis (ICVP) or an international vaccination certificate to be allowed access. This certificate acts as proof of your vaccination against this disease.


• Living in or traveling to a country where yellow fever is prevalent.

It is required that you have this vaccination at least ten days before your travel day. This gives the vaccination enough time to create protection for your body in time for your travel. Moreover, the certificate is only valid after 10 days of having the vaccination. If you plan on living or continuously traveling to yellow fever prone areas, a booster dose of the vaccine is to be administered to you after ten years.

Who Should Not Get Yellow Fever Vaccination?
Those who should not be vaccinated against yellow fever include:

• Infants under the age of nine months. Infants between 6 and 9 months should only be vaccinated against yellow fever if it is impossible to avoid infection during travel to prevalent regions.


• Pregnant and breastfeeding women. This too should only be done if there is no other way of preventing the infection from this disease.


• Immunosuppressed persons. This simply accounts for people with suppressed immune systems. This includes individuals with HIV and patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.


• Individuals who are allergic to eggs and the yellow fever vaccine – this is because the yellow fever vaccine has traces of egg.


• Individuals with allergies to any of the ingredients used to make the vaccine.


• Individuals with a condition affecting the thymus gland. This is simply a section of the immune system that is in the upper chest.


• Individuals who are unwell at the time of the scheduled for the vaccination. Getting the vaccine while unwell can lead to misdiagnosis of the condition you’re ailing from.


• Yellow fever naïve travellers – this includes individuals who are above the age of 60 and are travelling to yellow fever prone regions for the first time. This is unless the risk of contracting yellow fever is high.

Where Should You Get Yellow Fever Vaccination?
The yellow fever vaccine is only administered in registered health clinics. In order for a health center to be certified to offer yellow fever vaccines, it is required to be registered with the relevant authorities.

For more information on US based clinics where you can get the vaccine, go to http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow-fever-vaccination-clinics/search.

Countries Where Yellow Fever Is Endemic

African Countries
Angola	Republic of the Côte d’Ivoire (Congo)	Sao tome and Principe
Benin	Equatorial guinea	Senegal
Burkina Faso	Ethiopia	Sierra Leone
Burundi	Gabon	Somalia
Cameroon	Gambia	Sudan
Cape Verde	Ghana	South Sudan
Central African republic	Guinea	Tanzania
Chad	Guinea Bissau	Uganda
Nigeria	Kenya	Togo
Rwanda	Liberia	Mauritania
Democratic republic of Congo	Mali	Niger

South America and Central America
Argentina	French Guiana	Trinidad and Tobago
Bolivia	Guyana	Venezuela
Brazil	Panama	Ecuador
Colombia	Paraguay	Suriname
Peru	French Guiana

What Is the Difference Between Recommended and Required Vaccination?
Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended when you intend to travel to regions where there is a high risk of contracting yellow fever. This recommendation is done as a safety measure and for the protection of your health. Currently, yellow fever is mostly prevalent in sub Saharan Africa and some parts of South America.

You are required to get a yellow fever vaccine if the government of the state you intend to travel to requires proof by certification of vaccination. This requirement is for the purposes of protection against the importation of yellow fever and its spread in foreign states.

Side Effects of Yellow Fever Vaccination
Once you get the yellow fever vaccination, you may or may not suffer from side effects. Some common side effects include:

• Muscle pain


• Headache


• Soreness of the area of injection


• Mild fever

Some reaction on the area of injection may last for up to five days after injection. However, some side effects can go for up to 14 days.

Even so, allergic cases are very few and only occur at a ratio of 1:130,000 of vaccines administered.

Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects

Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease caused by yellow fever virus and transmitted through an infected mosquito bite. The disease doesn’t spread through direct contact, but once infected, hospitalization is required. It is prevalent in Africa and South America and is characterized by features like fever and flu-like symptoms, bleeding from multiple sites, Jaundice (yellowish discoloration), multi-organ failure involving kidneys, liver or respiratory system, and even death in about 20%-50% of critical cases.

Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects
YF-Vax or yellow fever vaccine is an effective preventive measure taken to prevent the development of the disease in children and adults. For the vaccine to work, children of about 9 months will be exposed to small amounts of the virus, so that the body develops immunity against it. Much like all the other vaccines, this vaccine doesn’t in any way treat the disease, it only prevents it. In case one is travelling to an area where yellow fever is endemic, it is a must to get vaccinated 10 days prior to arrival on the location. Although effective in preventing yellow fever, YF-Vax has its own side effects. You should be well-informed of these side effects in case medical attention is required.

1. Allergic Reaction
A previous allergic reaction must be conveyed to the health care professional if you’re going for a booster dose and monitor the side effects and their intensity for 30 days after the shot. Allergic reaction signs that warrant medical help include:

• Pale skin


• Hives


• Difficulty breathing


• Weakness


• Dizziness


• Increased heart rate


• Facial swelling


• Swelling of lips, tongue and throat

2. Less Severe Side Effects
Less serious yellow fever vaccine side effects occurring 5-10 days after the vaccine include:

• Low-grade fever


• General ill feeling


• Mild Headache


• Mild rash


• Muscle pain


• Joint pain


• Body aches


• Pain, tenderness or swelling at the site of shot

3. Call for Medical Help Immediately
Side effects of yellow fever vaccine may occur as long as 30 days after the shot, so be alert and call the doctor immediately if you experience:

• Flu symptoms


• Neck or back stiffness


• Vomiting


• Confusion


• Loss of memory


• Irritability


• Loss of balance and coordination


• Sensitivity to light


• Weakness or pricky feeling in fingers or toes


• Difficulty in walking, breathing, speech and seeing


• Severe lower back pain


• Loss of bladder and bowel control


• Muscle weakness


• Loss of movement in any part of body, including the eyes


• Behavioral changes


• Seizure


• Blackouts

4. Watch Out For Interactions
Among all yellow fever vaccine side effects, interaction should never be ignored. Following your doctor’s instructions and guidelines is of immense importance when getting vaccinated. Be it about dietary or activity restrictions, make sure you obey the healthcare provider' advice. Also, inform your doctor about:

• Any vaccines received recently


• All your current medications and treatments including oral, nasal, inhaled or an injectable steroid, drugs for Psoriasis, drugs for rheumatoid Arthritis, drugs for other autoimmune disorders and medicines used to prevent organ rejection during transplant

Note: During the last 5 years, there have been reports of seven individuals contracting the disease from the vaccine itself. Out of 7, 6 died, raising concerns on the safety of the vaccine. However, such incidents are extremely rare when compared with the number of people receiving the vaccine safely. What's more, this doesn’t mean that one should avoid vaccine, because getting infected with the fever itself is more dangerous than the yellow fever vaccine side effects.

Precaution When Getting Yellow Fever Vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine is contraindicated in a few cases and make sure you consult your doctor if one or more of the following cases hold true for you.

The vaccine should be avoided:

• In infants below 6 months of age


• In a person severely allergic to vaccine or any of its components like eggs, chicken protein, or gelatin

You should discuss the possibility of accepting yellow fever vaccine if:

• You have a weak immune system due to HIV/Aids, Cancer, a transplant, radiation or drug treatment, chemotherapy, steroid intake, removed thymus, thymus disorder like Thymoma, myAsthenia gravis or Digeorge Syndrome


• You are above 60 but cannot avoid travelling to yellow fever prevalent areas


• Your baby is about 6-8 months of age, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding but you are going to places where you might get yellow fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow fever can be defined as a viral hemorrhagic disease that is easily transferred between humans or animals through the bites of mosquitoes infected by yellow fever. Generally, yellow fever is widespread in Africa and Latin America. However, importation of this disease has made yellow fever widespread throughout the world. According to statistics, yellow fever infections stand at 200,000 people per year globally. This disease is characterized by chills, vomiting, nausea, Headaches as well as muscle pains. The vaccination against yellow fever is done in regions where the disease is widespread. In this article, you will learn when and where you can get vaccinated and the precautions you should take.

Who Should Be Vaccinated Against Yellow Fever?
It is important to get the yellow fever vaccination if you are:

• A lab technician or helper where you have the likelihood of handling infected materials.


• Travelling to countries that require you to have a prophylaxis (ICVP) or an international vaccination certificate to be allowed access. This certificate acts as proof of your vaccination against this disease.


• Living in or traveling to a country where yellow fever is prevalent.

It is required that you have this vaccination at least ten days before your travel day. This gives the vaccination enough time to create protection for your body in time for your travel. Moreover, the certificate is only valid after 10 days of having the vaccination. If you plan on living or continuously traveling to yellow fever prone areas, a booster dose of the vaccine is to be administered to you after ten years.

Who Should Not Get Yellow Fever Vaccination?
Those who should not be vaccinated against yellow fever include:

• Infants under the age of nine months. Infants between 6 and 9 months should only be vaccinated against yellow fever if it is impossible to avoid infection during travel to prevalent regions.


• Pregnant and breastfeeding women. This too should only be done if there is no other way of preventing the infection from this disease.


• Immunosuppressed persons. This simply accounts for people with suppressed immune systems. This includes individuals with HIV and patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.


• Individuals who are allergic to eggs and the yellow fever vaccine – this is because the yellow fever vaccine has traces of egg.


• Individuals with allergies to any of the ingredients used to make the vaccine.


• Individuals with a condition affecting the thymus gland. This is simply a section of the immune system that is in the upper chest.


• Individuals who are unwell at the time of the scheduled for the vaccination. Getting the vaccine while unwell can lead to misdiagnosis of the condition you’re ailing from.


• Yellow fever naïve travellers – this includes individuals who are above the age of 60 and are travelling to yellow fever prone regions for the first time. This is unless the risk of contracting yellow fever is high.

Where Should You Get Yellow Fever Vaccination?
The yellow fever vaccine is only administered in registered health clinics. In order for a health center to be certified to offer yellow fever vaccines, it is required to be registered with the relevant authorities.

For more information on US based clinics where you can get the vaccine, go to http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow-fever-vaccination-clinics/search.

Countries Where Yellow Fever Is Endemic

African Countries
Angola	Republic of the Côte d’Ivoire (Congo)	Sao tome and Principe
Benin	Equatorial guinea	Senegal
Burkina Faso	Ethiopia	Sierra Leone
Burundi	Gabon	Somalia
Cameroon	Gambia	Sudan
Cape Verde	Ghana	South Sudan
Central African republic	Guinea	Tanzania
Chad	Guinea Bissau	Uganda
Nigeria	Kenya	Togo
Rwanda	Liberia	Mauritania
Democratic republic of Congo	Mali	Niger

South America and Central America
Argentina	French Guiana	Trinidad and Tobago
Bolivia	Guyana	Venezuela
Brazil	Panama	Ecuador
Colombia	Paraguay	Suriname
Peru	French Guiana

What Is the Difference Between Recommended and Required Vaccination?
Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended when you intend to travel to regions where there is a high risk of contracting yellow fever. This recommendation is done as a safety measure and for the protection of your health. Currently, yellow fever is mostly prevalent in sub Saharan Africa and some parts of South America.

You are required to get a yellow fever vaccine if the government of the state you intend to travel to requires proof by certification of vaccination. This requirement is for the purposes of protection against the importation of yellow fever and its spread in foreign states.

Side Effects of Yellow Fever Vaccination
Once you get the yellow fever vaccination, you may or may not suffer from side effects. Some common side effects include:

• Muscle pain


• Headache


• Soreness of the area of injection


• Mild fever

Some reaction on the area of injection may last for up to five days after injection. However, some side effects can go for up to 14 days.

Even so, allergic cases are very few and only occur at a ratio of 1:130,000 of vaccines administered.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever






Yellow fever is a serious disease transmitted by mosquitoes and in some areas the virus becomes endemic causing death of many people. It is a viral fever found largely in African countries and in some parts of South America. It is reported that about 50% of people affected with severe form of yellow fever die each year; however this can be prevented by vaccination.

Symptoms :

There will not be any signs and symptoms during the incubation period which may lasts for 3-5 days after you have contracted the virus. After 5 days the virus will assume an acute phase during which there can be mild-moderate symptoms. Some of the symptoms of acute phase of yellow fever are mild fever, Headache, nausea, vomiting, body pain, drowsiness, muscle aches, acute pain in your back/knees, loss of appetite and redness in your eyes and face.

In the toxic phase, the symptoms will become worse. In some cases, toxic phase can be very dangerous causing life threatening symptoms. The skin color of the infected person becomes yellowish producing Jaundice like symptoms. He may have severe abdominal pain followed by blood vomiting. Total urine output may reduce considerably indicating Kidney Failure. Some people may get bloody discharge from the nose and mouth. The heart function may collapse suddenly and for some there may be brain dysfunction. It can also cause grand mal seizures and coma in some people. Often, the toxic phase of the yellow fever will be fatal if not treated immediately. Due to prolonged infection the virus discharge plenty of toxins in the blood causing the above symptoms.

For many patients, the initial symptoms of acute phase will disappear for 5-7 days if proper treatment is taken. However for others the virus will enter into toxic phase followed by remission of initial symptoms. In the toxic phase, the patient will die within a week or two if the rate of toxicity is severe.

Causes :

Yellow fever is spread by female mosquito of type Aedes aegypti which carries the virus. When it bites the person for sucking blood, it injects the virus into the bloodstream. Many cases of yellow fever are reported in Saharan African regions and tropic areas of S. America. This type of mosquito can breed even in the cleanest form of water.

Monkeys and human-beings are the prime target of yellow fever. The virus will usually travel back and forth from the mosquito infecting several millions of animals or humans. It would enter the mosquito’s bloodstream from the body of the infected person and circulates in its body for some period. Again it will enter the salivary glands of the mosquito preparing itself for getting transmitted into another animal or man.

Tests :

Diagnosing yellow fever is not an easy task like any other disease. The disease cannot be confirmed based on its signs alone since the symptoms given above are the same for many other infectious diseases like malaria, Dengue Fever and typhoid.

Your doctor will collect complete medical history apart from asking few questions about your recent travels. He would request for complete blood test like ELISA test and polymerase chain reaction test. These tests will give report about the specific antibodies or antigens produced in the body in response to the attacking virus. It will take several days for getting the result of the test. Liver biopsy test done after the death of the patient would also reveal the presence of virus.

Types of Yellow Fever :

Transmission of yellow fever occurs when the infected mosquitoes bite the animals or humans. It is the mosquito that spreads the virus from one host to another.

Sylvatic Yellow Fever : It occurs in the monkeys that live in tropical rainforests of Saharan Africa. The infection spreads to other mosquitoes that feed on the feces of the infected monkeys. The mosquitoes will again spread infection to other monkeys and humans.

Intermediate Yellow Fever : It occurs as epidemic of small scale (restricted to specific zones). The mosquitoes that breed on water medium on the houses and forests will spread the infection to other people and mosquitoes. This occurs in small villages where there is close contact of people who are not vaccinated.

Urban yellow fever occurs when the infected people visit the urban areas spreading the infection in densely populated areas. Around 20-50% of the infected people will face death within two weeks of infection. The infected virus spreads the toxic materials throughout the body causing liver/kidney failure.

Treatment :

At present there is no antiviral drug available for treating yellow fever. Hence treatment can only be given for reducing the symptoms and preventing kidney failure. Blood plasma transfusion is done for removing the infected blood.

Prevention :

It is ideal to get vaccinated for yellow fever to prevent its infection. Effective vaccines are available for yellow fever and people who are planning to visit the Saharan African countries can consult their doctor about taking vaccination. The vaccination should be given at least 2 weeks prior to travel. Taking one shot of vaccination for yellow fever will give you comprehensive protection for ten years. It can cause minor side effects like fever and headache.

Vaccine should not be given for children below 9 years and for older adults since it may produce some complications. Vaccination is not given for pregnant women and infants and young children. Stay protected from mosquitoes by using mosquito repellants and by wearing fully covered thick clothing while visiting the infected areas. Avoid going out when the mosquitoes are in highly active stage. Using products that contain DEET can give you total protection from Mosquito Bites.