Yellow Fever Vaccination
What Is Yellow Fever Vaccination?
The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine containing a weakened form of the yellow fever virus. Administered as a single shot, it typically offers lifelong protection for most recipients.
Recommended recipients for the yellow fever vaccine include:
- Individuals aged 9 months to 59 years who are traveling to or residing in regions where yellow fever virus activity is prevalent, or to countries with vaccination requirements for entry.
Laboratory personnel at risk of exposure to yellow fever virus or vaccine virus.
Yellow fever vaccine administration is restricted to designated vaccination centers. Upon vaccination, recipients receive an “International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis” (ICVP), commonly referred to as the “yellow card.” This document serves as proof of vaccination and may be required for entry into certain countries. Failure to present the yellow card may result in mandatory vaccination upon arrival or a waiting period of up to 6 days to ensure non-infection.
As a precaution, individuals should refrain from donating blood for 14 days following vaccination to minimize the risk of transmitting the vaccine virus to others.
Prevention
Vaccination stands as the foremost measure for preventing yellow fever. The yellow fever vaccine is recognized for its safety, affordability, and efficacy, with a single dose conferring lifelong protection against the disease. Notably, there is no need for a booster dose.
Achieving effective immunity, the vaccine offers protection to 80-100% of vaccinated individuals within 10 days, rising to over 99% within 30 days post-vaccination.
Instances of side effects stemming from the yellow fever vaccine are rare. Typically excluded from vaccination are:
- Infants under 9 months of age
- Pregnant women (except during yellow fever outbreaks when infection risk is elevated)
- Individuals with severe allergies to egg protein
- Those with significant immunodeficiency due to conditions such as symptomatic HIV/AIDS, thymus disorders, or other causes
Per the International Health Regulations (IHR), countries reserve the right to mandate travelers to furnish a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Should medical grounds preclude vaccination, certification from appropriate authorities is necessary.