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Yellow Fever
What is Yellow Fever?
• Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by a virus.
• It is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes
aegypti).
• Yellow fever can cause severe flu-like symptoms: fever,
chills, headache, backache, muscle pains, exhaustion,
nausea and vomiting.
• Infection can also cause liver and kidney failure; (20-50%
of these people die).
What does Yellow Fever vaccine contain?
• Yellow fever vaccine contains egg, sorbitol, gelatin and
chicken protein.
• The stopper of yellow fever vaccine and diluent contains
latex.
Who should receive the vaccine?
• People 9 months or over who are travelling to countries
where Yellow Fever occurs.
• Some countries require Yellow Fever immunization.
Who should not receive the vaccine?
• Infants <9 months, because of the risk of encephalitis.
• Women planning conception in the next 12 weeks unless
recommended by a Medical Health Officer.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, unless recommended
by a Medical Health Officer.
• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to
any component of the vaccine.
• People with a life-threatening allergy to eggs or egg
products, who have a positive skin test reaction.
• People with a history of thymus disorders (e.g.
thymectomy, myasthenia gravis, thymoma).
• People with lowered immune response due to drug or
radiation therapy or due to disease (e.g. leukemia,
lymphoma, AIDS and HIV).
• People who are 60+ years, except in consultation with the
Medical Health Officer. Multiple organ failure, a rare and
possibly fatal side effect, is more likely to occur in people
over this age.
• People who have received other live injected vaccines
within the last month (e.g. measles, mumps, rubella)
except in consultation with the Medical Health Officer.
• People with moderate to severe illness may have to delay
immunization.
When should the vaccine be given?
• At least 10 days before travel to a country of risk.
• Revaccination every 10 years if travelling to a country of
risk.
How is the vaccine given?
• By injection into the fatty layer beneath the skin.
• May be safely given with other vaccines.
How effective is the vaccine?
• Between 80-100% of people develop protection within 10
days. The vaccine may provide less protection to people
who are pregnant or immunosuppressed.
How long does the vaccine last?
• Protection may last 10-30 years.
• The yellow fever certificate is valid internationally for
10 years beginning 10 days after date of immunization.
What might be felt after receiving the vaccine?
Very Common (> 10%)
• headache, muscle aches, low-grade fevers, redness or
soreness at injection site, 5 – 10 days after immunization.
Common (> 1% - < 10%)
• nausea, rash/hives.
Very Rare (< 0.01%)
• immediate allergic reactions (hives or reactive airways
occurring mainly in people with history of egg or other
allergies).
• neurotropic disease (post-vaccine encephalitis) - more
likely in those <9 months of age or immunosuppressed
(0.5/100,000 doses). In those > 60 years of age, the
estimated risk is 1.4/100,000 doses.
• viscerotropic disease or febrile multi-organ failure
(0.5/100,000 doses) – more likely in those with thymus
disease or those >60 years. In those > 60 years of age,
the estimated risk is 1.8/100,000 doses.
Where does Yellow Fever occur?
• Yellow fever is found in certain parts of Africa and South
America.
For more information contact Public Health Services at (306) 655-4780.
eases.
©2008, Saskatoon Health Region. Reproduced only by permission.
(Updated March 3, 2009)
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