Yellow Fever Vaccine (By injection) (Yf-Vax)

Yellow Fever Vaccine (By injection)

YEL-oh FEE-ver VAX-een

Drug classes

Vaccine (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Yellow fever vaccine is used to prevent infection by the yellow fever virus. This vaccine works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.

Vaccination against yellow fever is recommended for all persons 9 months of age and older who are traveling to or living in areas of Africa, South America, or other countries where there is yellow fever infection and for people who are traveling to countries that require yellow fever immunization (certificate of vaccination). It is also needed by other people who might come into contact with the yellow fever virus.

Pregnant women should be vaccinated only if they must travel to areas where there is an epidemic of yellow fever and they cannot be protected from mosquito bites.

The certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is valid for 10 years beginning 10 days after the first vaccination, or on the date of the second vaccination if within 10 years of the first injection.

Yellow fever vaccine may not protect all persons given the vaccine.

This vaccine is given only at authorized Yellow Fever Vaccination Centers. The location of these centers can be obtained from your state, province, and local health departments.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin.

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

A booster dose of the vaccine is recommended every 10 years for patients who are at continuous risk of exposure to the yellow fever virus, and is required by his or her doctor.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are receiving a treatment or using a medicine that causes a weak immune system. This may include a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), cancer medicines, or radiation treatment.

This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines.

When Not To Use

You should not receive this vaccine if you have had an allergic reaction to eggs, egg products, chicken proteins, or gelatin. This vaccine should not be given to infants younger than 9 months of age. You should not receive this vaccine shot if you have a serious illness with fever or diseases that weaken your immune system (such as AIDS, cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, or thymic disease). Do not breastfeed while you are using this medicine.

Warnings

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or have any medical problems.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you receive the vaccine.

Side effects from this vaccine could occur up to 30 days after you receive the shot. Be sure to tell your doctor about any serious side effects that occur during that time.

Yellow fever vaccine may cause a serious side effect called neurotropic disease or post-vaccinal encephalitis. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have confusion, irritability, headache, seizures, stiff neck, or vomiting.

This vaccine may cause serious allergic reactions affecting multiple body organs (e.g., liver or kidney). Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have the following symptoms: fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin.

Since the vaccine may not protect everyone completely, it is very important that you use precautions to reduce your chance of mosquito bites. These include using insect repellents and mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing, and staying indoors during twilight and after dark.

The stopper of the vial contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before you start receiving this vaccine.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Confusion, extreme sleepiness, or changes in personality or behavior.

Decrease in how much and how often you urinate.

Fever, severe headache, stiffness in your neck, vomiting, or seizures.

Shallow breathing.

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Mild fever, headache, muscle pain, or weakness.

Redness, pain, swelling, itching, blistering, or rash where the shot is given.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Yf-Vax

There may be other brand names for this medicine.