Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow Fever is a potentially life-threatening viral illness that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Yellow Fever cannot be transmitted directly from human-to-human contact. It can be prevented through a single vaccine that provides lifelong protection. 

Countries with a high risk of Yellow Fever are predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Several countries, for example Brazil, Argentina, Ghana, Kenya, Peru or Tanzania require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry. 

There is no treatment for Yellow Fever infection. Supportive and intensive medical care is required in the toxic phase to allow the body to clear the virus itself. 

Yellow fever is entirely preventable illness. There is a safe and effective vaccine against the disease. In addition to vaccination, mosquito bite prevention measures, such as regular application of insect repellent and mosquito nets are vital. 

The Yellow Fever vaccine provides immunity that is generally considered lifelong. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to confer sustained immunity and life-long protection against Yellow Fever disease. 

The Yellow Fever vaccine provides immunity that is generally considered lifelong. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to confer sustained immunity and life-long protection against Yellow Fever disease. 

Getting vaccinated before travelling is a key step in safeguarding your health, the health of those around you, and the public health of the communities you visit. For Yellow Fever, it is advisable to get the vaccine at least 10 before departure. This time frame ensures that the vaccine provides effective immunity and that the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), which you may need to enter certain countries, is valid. 

A consultation with our specialist travel nurse costs £20 for the first appointment and £10 for additional people and follow ups. The consultation is required to assess your travel plans and medical history and recommend vaccinations for your individual needs.  

A dose of the Yellow Fever vaccine costs £84 and 1 dose is required. The full course offers protection for life for most travellers. The price also includes the Yellow Fever certificate that you need to show at the airport. 

Please see our full price list for details and speak to our staff in clinics about customised price plans for groups, families or when you book your full course in advance. 

Common side effects of the Yellow Fever vaccine include headache, muscle pain, mild fever, and soreness at the injection site. Rarely, more serious side effects can occur, such as allergic reactions or neurological conditions. 

You can get the Yellow Fever vaccine in one of our flagship clinics with locations in: 

• London: Victoria, Moorgate, London Bridge 

• Hampshire: Winchester, Southampton 

• Hertfordshire: Hitchin 

• Sussex: Brighton & Hove, Worthing 

• Kent: Ashford 

You can also visit one of our local pharmacy partners by finding a clinic near you. 

Is Yellow Fever the same as Malaria?

Whilst both Yellow Fever and Malaria are transmitted through mosquitoes, symptoms and preventative vaccines differ. It is advisable to use mosquito nets and insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites.

Which countries require a Yellow Fever certificate for entry?

Several countries in Africa and South America require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry. These requirements can change, so it is essential to check the latest travel advisories for your destination country before travelling. Some of the popular travel destinations that require Yellow Fever vaccination are Brazil, Argentina, Ghana, Kenya, Peru or Tanzania.

How to get a Yellow Fever vaccine certificate?

To obtain a Yellow Fever vaccine certificate, schedule an appointment in one of our Yellow Fever certified vaccination clinics.

After receiving the vaccine, you’ll be issued an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) by the healthcare provider. Keep this document safe, as you may need to present it when travelling to certain countries.

The’ valid from date’ on the certificate must be written as 10 days. If you are traveling before this time to a country that requires you to show proof of vaccination, it is up to the border official if you are allowed entry. The’ valid form date’ cannot be altered as it is a legal document.

Only certificates issued following Yellow Fever vaccinations received after July 2016 will carry the lifelong validity.

What are symptoms of Yellow Fever?

The incubation period from infection to developing Yellow Fever is 3 to 6 days. Symptoms are divided into the acute phase and the toxic phase.

The acute phase presents with symptoms of a viral infection such as high fever, headache, muscle ache, nausea and vomiting and loss of appetite. Around 15% progress from the acute phase to the toxic phase.

The toxic phase consists of jaundice (yellow discolorations of the skin and eyes), liver and kidney failure, bleeding form the nose, eyes, stomach followed by death in 50% of cases within 10-14 days. Symptoms include high fever, violent headache, muscular pain, upset stomach and loss of fluid.

What is the schedule for the Yellow Fever vaccine?

The vaccine can be given to adults and children from 9 months of age who are travelling to a country with a significant risk of Yellow Fever infection. Additionally, the vaccine may be an entry requirement where:

The country has a high risk of the disease and require all entering to show evidence of vaccination.

The country does not have Yellow Fever infection, but it has the mosquito (and monkey) population required for the disease to establish there. In this situation, the certificate is only required if you are arriving from a Yellow Fever country.

The UK does not have Yellow Fever infection and nor does it have the mosquito. Therefore, you do not need to show a certificate if you are traveling directly from the UK or arriving back in the UK from a Yellow Fever country.

Can children have the Yellow Fever vaccine?

Yes, children can receive the Yellow Fever vaccine when aged 9 months and older. In certain cases, younger infants may be given the vaccine if they are traveling to areas with a high risk of Yellow Fever. Speak to the nurse during your consultation to discuss your individual requirements.

Who is not able to have the Yellow Fever vaccine?

The Yellow Fever vaccine should not be given to:

• Infants under the age of 9 months
• Patients with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or any of its components
• Adults and children with a persistent egg allergy
• Anyone with an immune disorder, whether due to disease or drugs, such as steroids
• Anyone with an unstable neurological condition, such as epilepsy not controlled on medication
• Pregnancy and breast feeding-see separate sections
• Previous history of disorder to the thymus gland (an organ in the chest). This includes thymectomy (where the gland has been removed) or Thymoma (a benign swelling of the gland).
• Acute illness with high fever (>38.5 Degrees Celsius)
• Children who have had cardiac surgery
• Adults who have had cardiac surgery before the year 2000
• Anyone who has had thoracic surgery will need a risk assessment
• Individuals over 60 years of age should have a careful assessment of their risk of contracting Yellow Fever infection before the vaccine should be given.

Pregnancy

As the vaccine is live, there is a potential risk of the vaccine virus causing infection in the unborn baby. Therefore, vaccination should be avoided where possible during pregnancy. It is best not to travel to a country with a risk of Yellow Fever while pregnant. However, if travel cannot be avoided, the clinician will discuss the risks from the vaccine versus the risk of the disease during the travel consultation. There have been observational studies which have not demonstrated harm to the baby from the vaccine being administered during pregnancy. Additionally, it is not advised to get pregnant for 1 month after receiving the vaccine.

Breast Feeding

The vaccine is transmitted through breast milk to infants and there have been cases of breastfed infants (all under 1 month) being admitted to hospital with Yellow Fever infection after their mothers had received the vaccine. Infants under 9 months of age are vulnerable to neurological side effects from the vaccine and hence we avoid vaccinating unless there are exceptional reasons to do so and do not vaccinate infants under 6 months of age under any circumstances.

Therefore, it is best not to travel to a Yellow Fever risk country while breast feeding infants under 9 months, as you may not be able to receive the vaccine yourself unless you discontinue breast feeding and your baby would not be protected against this potentially dangerous illness. If travel is unavoidable and the risk of Yellow Fever infection is high, then vaccination can be given provided breast feeding is stopped for a period of 3 weeks.

Is the Yellow Fever vaccine safe?

The Yellow Fever vaccine has been around for many decades and most people experience minor side effects from the vaccine. There are more serious side effects associated with the vaccine which are rare. Therefore, it is important that a careful risk assessment is made prior to anyone having the vaccine which is part of the travel consultation provided by CityDoc. Yellow Fever illness can be fatal and is not treatable. Prevention is thus, vital and the vaccine is highly effective at preventing this disease.

Is the Yellow Fever vaccine free on the NHS?

The Yellow Fever vaccine is not typically provided for free on the NHS, as it is considered a travel vaccine. Travel vaccines are usually paid for privately.

What additional precautions do I need to take to avoid Yellow Fever?

Apply insect repellent regularly and use mosquito nets.