The document provides information about the yellow fever vaccine. It discusses why the vaccine is recommended for travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic, describes the vaccine as a live but weakened virus given in a single shot that provides lifelong protection, and outlines rare but serious risks such as encephalitis, meningitis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. It advises discussing travel plans and health history with a provider prior to receiving the vaccine.
The document provides information about the yellow fever vaccine. It discusses why the vaccine is recommended for travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic, describes the vaccine as a live but weakened virus given in a single shot that provides lifelong protection, and outlines rare but serious risks such as encephalitis, meningitis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. It advises discussing travel plans and health history with a provider prior to receiving the vaccine.
The document provides information about the yellow fever vaccine. It discusses why the vaccine is recommended for travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic, describes the vaccine as a live but weakened virus given in a single shot that provides lifelong protection, and outlines rare but serious risks such as encephalitis, meningitis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. It advises discussing travel plans and health history with a provider prior to receiving the vaccine.
The document provides information about the yellow fever vaccine. It discusses why the vaccine is recommended for travel to areas where yellow fever is endemic, describes the vaccine as a live but weakened virus given in a single shot that provides lifelong protection, and outlines rare but serious risks such as encephalitis, meningitis, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. It advises discussing travel plans and health history with a provider prior to receiving the vaccine.
Yellow Fever Vaccine: available in Spanish and other languages.
See www.immunize.org/vis Hojas de información sobre vacunas están What You Need to Know disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/vis
1 Why get vaccinated? 2 Yellow fever vaccine
Yellow fever vaccine can prevent yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine containing Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow weakened, live yellow fever virus. It is given as a fever virus. There is no medicine to treat or cure single shot. One dose provides lifelong protection for yellow fever. most people. Yellow fever virus is spread by the bite of an infected Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for: mosquito. It is found in parts of Africa and South People 9 months through 59 years of age who are America. traveling to or living in areas at risk for yellow fever virus activity, or traveling to a country with The majority of people with yellow fever virus an entry requirement for vaccination. (People infections will either not have symptoms, or have younger than 9 months or older than 59 years who mild disease and completely recover. But some are at increased risk might receive yellow fever people will develop severe disease. vaccine in some situations. Ask your health care Symptoms and signs of yellow fever include: provider for more information.) Sudden onset of fever and chills Laboratory personnel who might be exposed to Headache, back pain, or general body aches yellow fever virus or vaccine virus. Nausea or vomiting Yellow fever vaccine is given only at designated More severe symptoms of yellow fever can include: vaccination centers. After getting the vaccine, Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes) you will be given an “International Certificate of Bleeding from multiple body sites Vaccination or Prophylaxis” (ICVP, sometimes called Shock (life-threatening condition in which the the “yellow card”). You will need this card as proof body is not getting enough blood flow) of vaccination to enter certain countries. If you don’t Liver, kidney, or other organ failure have it, you might be required to get yellow fever vaccine upon entering the country, or be forced Severe yellow fever can cause death in 30% to 60% of to wait for up to 6 days to make sure you are not affected people. infected. In addition to getting vaccinated, you can also Do not donate blood for 14 days after vaccination, protect yourself from yellow fever by avoiding because there is a risk of passing vaccine virus to mosquito bites: others during that period. Use insect repellent Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants Stay in well-screened or air-conditioned areas
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention --Life-threatening severe illness with organ 3 Talk with your health care dysfunction or failure. provider People 60 years and older and people with weakened Discuss your itinerary with your health care provider immune systems might be more likely to experience before you get your yellow fever vaccination. serious reactions to yellow fever vaccine. You can visit CDC’s Travelers’ Health website at www.cdc.gov/travel to learn if yellow fever People sometimes faint after medical procedures, vaccination is recommended or required based including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel on your travel location. dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. Tell your vaccine provider if the person getting the As with any medicine, there is a remote chance of vaccine: a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other Has had an allergic reaction after a previous dose serious injury, or death. of yellow fever vaccine, or has any severe, life- threatening allergies. 5 What if there is a serious Has a weakened immune system. Has had their thymus removed or been diagnosed problem? with a thymus disorder. An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated Is pregnant or breastfeeding. person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a Has gotten any other vaccines in the past 4 weeks. severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be dizziness, or weakness), call 9-1-1 and get the person vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill to the nearest hospital. should usually wait until they recover before getting yellow fever vaccine. For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider. In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone yellow fever vaccination to a future visit. Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your If you cannot get yellow fever vaccine for medical health care provider will usually file this report, or reasons and you are traveling to a country with you can do it yourself. Visit the VAERS website at a yellow fever vaccination entry requirement, www.vaers.hhs.gov or call 1-800-822-7967. VAERS your doctor will need to fill out the Medical is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff do not Contraindications to Vaccination section of your give medical advice. yellow card. In addition, your doctor should give you a waiver letter. If you plan to use a waiver, you can contact the embassies of countries you plan to visit 6 How can I learn more? for more information. Ask your health care provider. Call your local or state health department. 4 Risks of a vaccine reaction Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was --Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO), or given are common after yellow fever vaccine. --Visit CDC’s Yellow Fever website at Fever sometimes happens. www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/vaccine/index.html Headache and muscle aches can occur. More serious reactions happen rarely after yellow fever vaccine. These can include: --Nervous system reactions such as inflammation Vaccine Information Statement of the brain (encephalitis) and/or spinal cord covering (meningitis), or Guillain-Barré Yellow Fever Vaccine Syndrome (GBS), among others. Office use only
