Yellow Fever Immunisation

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a serious disease with symptoms of high fever, vomiting, jaundice, and bleeding. It is often fatal and there is no cure. Yellow fever is caused by a virus. It is passed to humans by bites from infected mosquitoes which tend to bite during daylight hours. (This is different to the mosquitos which carry malaria which tend to bite from dusk to dawn.) Yellow fever occurs in certain countries of Africa and South America.

Who should be immunised against yellow fever?

• Travellers to countries where yellow fever is a risk. Some countries require a certificate of immunisation against yellow fever before they will let you into the country. Yellow fever is the only disease which routinely requires proof of immunisation.
  • In some countries immunisation is compulsory for all incoming visitors.
  • In some countries immunisation is compulsory for those who have travelled from a 'yellow fever' area or country.
  • Your doctor or practice nurse can advise if you should be immunised for your travel destination, and whether you need a certificate of immunisation.
• Workers who handle material that may be infected by the yellow fever virus.

The vaccine, and where can I get it?

You should have an injection of vaccine at least 10 days before the date of travel to allow immunity to develop. A single dose of vaccine provides immunity for at least 10 years, maybe even for life. However, a booster dose (and a repeat certificate of immunisation) is recommended every 10 years if you are still at risk.

Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at accredited centres. Many GP practices are accredited, but if your local GP practice is not accredited you can find a list of the nearest available centres at www.nathnac.org

The vaccine stimulates your body to make antibodies against the yellow fever virus. These antibodies protect you from illness should you become infected with this virus.

Are there any possible side-effects from the vaccine?

About 1-3 in 10 people who are immunised with yellow fever vaccine have mild headache, muscle aches, mild fever or soreness at the injection site. This usually happens up to 14 days after the injection. Severe reactions are rare, but the risk increases with age.

Who should not receive the yellow fever vaccine?

The yellow fever vaccine is not usually given under the following circumstances, although advice should be taken from your doctor or practice nurse.

• If you:
  • are taking cancer chemotherapy, or are having generalised radiotherapy, or if you have had such therapy in the preceding six months
  • are taking immunsuppressive treatment for an organ transplant
  • have had a bone marrow transplant in the previous six months
  • are taking steroid tablets long-term
  • are HIV positive or have another immune deficiency condition (travellers who are HIV positive may be advised to take the vaccine)
  • have a thymus disorder.
• If you are ill with a fever you should postpone the injection until you are better.
• As a rule, pregnant women should not be immunised. However, the risk is theoretical. If it is impossible to avoid areas where yellow fever is a problem, then the risk from the vaccine would be much less than the risk from catching yellow fever.
• You should not have the yellow fever vaccine if you have had a severe reaction in the past to egg. (This is because the vaccine contains small amounts of egg. A severe reaction to egg is very rare and it does not mean an upset stomach eating eggs, or disliking eggs.)
• Children under 9 months old should not receive the yellow fever vaccine.
• Older travellers (those aged over 60 years) who have not previously been vaccinated against yellow fever are at higher risk of side effects with the yellow fever vaccine.

Further information

Health Advice for Travellers - From the Department of Health

All travellers going abroad are advised to get this booklet. You can get a free copy:

• From main post offices, or
• View the content on the web www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/fs/en

Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (The Green Book)

www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/GreenBook/fs/en.
From the Department of Health. Aimed at health professionals but of interest to all.

Health Information for Overseas Travel (The Yellow Book)

www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/doh/hinfo/index.htm
From the Department of Health. Aimed at health professionals but of interest to all.

Patient UK

Has links to UK websites on travel health - www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/38/