This page has everything you need to know about the Yellow Fever Vaccine.
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Book now through the Barkerhouse Pharmacy Travel Clinic page, or give us a call on 01282 612140 and book an appointment with the Barkerhouse Pharmacy team.
When travelling abroad, checking you meet any vaccination requirements is important. Travelling without doing so risks encountering issues with countries immigration and travel laws.
Please allow 2 months before travelling to get your Yellow Fever Vaccine injections.
Do I need the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
You need the Yellow Fever Vaccine if you’re travelling to one of the countries listed below.
Which Countries have risk of Yellow Fever transmission?
Yellow Fever Vaccination is recommended if you’re travelling to any of the following countries:
- Angola
- Argentina
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Rep.
- Chad
- Colombia
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Dem. Rep. of the Congo
- Ecuador
- Ethiopia
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Republic of the Congo
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad only)
- Uganda
- Venezuela
How long does the Yellow Fever Vaccine last?
For most people, the yellow fever vaccine provides lifelong protection.
A further dose of vaccine is recommended for a small number of travellers visiting yellow fever risk areas, including those who were previously vaccinated when they were:
- pregnant
- under 2 years old
- living with HIV
- had a weakened immune system
- before having a bone marrow transplant
In rare instances, you may need a further dose of vaccine if there’s a concern about your risk of yellow fever, e.g., if you’re working or living for extended periods of time in a high-risk area.
If you have any doubts or concerns about whether or not you need the vaccine, just call us and ask.
Can anyone have the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
There are some people who cannot have the yellow fever vaccine.
People who cannot have the vaccine include:
- babies under 6 months old
- people with a weakened immune system, such as those with leukaemia or lymphoma
- people whose immune system is weakened by treatment, such as steroids and chemotherapy
- people who are allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, including people with an egg allergy
- people who’ve had a severe reaction to a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine
- people with a thymus gland disorder or who’ve had their thymus gland removed
- people over the age of 60 who are travelling to areas where yellow fever vaccine is not generally recommended
- people who have a close relative who has had a severe reaction to the vaccine causing damage to the brain or other organs
Not sure whether you can have the yellow fever vaccine? Speak to us at the Pharmacy.
Take extra care to prevent insect bites while travelling if you have not been vaccinated.
Does the Yellow Fever Vaccine have side effects?
The yellow fever vaccine can cause some side effects, but the risk of not being vaccinated usually outweighs the risk of having side effects.
After having the vaccine, up to 1 in every 3 people gets:
- a headache
- muscle pain
- a raised temperature
- soreness at the injection site
These side effects usually pass within 2 weeks.
Rarely, a person can get more serious side effects, including an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the vaccine.
A very rare side effect of the vaccine can cause problems with the brain or other organs, which can be fatal. This is more likely to affect:
- people aged 60 or older
- people with weakened immune systems
- anyone who’s had their thymus gland removed or has a thymus gland disorder
Seek medical advice if you feel very unwell within a few days or weeks of having the Yellow Fever Vaccine.