A live travel vaccine that protects against yellow fever
Yellow fever vaccine
A live travel vaccine that protects against yellow fever, given at registered centres with a certificate.
What is Yellow fever vaccine?
The yellow fever vaccine protects against yellow fever, a serious illness spread by mosquitoes in parts of Africa and South America. It is a live vaccine, so it must not be given to people who are significantly immunosuppressed or who are pregnant unless the risk is high and there is no alternative. It is used mainly for travel, and in the UK it can only be given at registered yellow fever vaccination centres, which issue an official certificate often required for entry to certain countries. It is used with extra caution in older people and first-time recipients because, very rarely, serious reactions can occur, and people with egg allergy need special advice.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Yellow fever vaccine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
The yellow fever vaccine is an immunisation that protects against yellow fever, a serious illness caused by a virus spread by mosquito bites in certain parts of Africa and South America. It is a live vaccine containing a weakened form of the virus. In the UK it is used mainly for travellers and can only be given at registered yellow fever vaccination centres, which provide an official certificate. This certificate is often a legal requirement for entering or passing through countries where yellow fever occurs, as well as protecting the traveller's health.
How it works
The yellow fever vaccine contains a weakened live form of the virus that prompts the immune system to make protective antibodies without causing the illness in most people. After a single dose, most people develop long-lasting protection, often for life. If the vaccinated person is later bitten by an infected mosquito, the immune system is ready to respond and prevent the disease. Because the vaccine is live, the immune system must be able to handle the weakened virus safely, which is why it is not suitable for people who are significantly immunosuppressed.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A live travel vaccine used in the UK for people travelling to or through countries where yellow fever occurs, given only at registered yellow fever vaccination centres.
Practical use
How to take Yellow fever vaccine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Have it only at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre, which will assess you and issue the official certificate.
- Arrange it well before travel, as protection and the certificate take time to become valid.
- Tell the centre if you are, or might be, pregnant, as this live vaccine is generally avoided in pregnancy.
- Tell the centre about any condition or medicine that weakens your immune system, and about any egg allergy.
- Carry your certificate when travelling, as it may be required for entry to certain countries.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Yellow fever vaccine
Advantages
- Protects against yellow fever, a serious mosquito-borne illness, usually with a single dose.
- Often gives long-lasting, sometimes lifelong, protection.
- Provides the official certificate needed to enter or pass through certain countries.
Disadvantages
- It is a live vaccine, so it cannot be given to people who are significantly immunosuppressed.
- Is used with caution in older people and first-time recipients, because rare serious reactions can occur.
- Needs special assessment for people with egg allergy and can only be given at registered centres.
Practical use
Good to know
Several important points apply to the yellow fever vaccine. It is a live vaccine, so it must not be given to people who are significantly immunosuppressed, and it is generally avoided in pregnancy unless the risk of yellow fever is high and there is no alternative, with advice from the centre. It can only be given at registered yellow fever vaccination centres, which issue the official certificate that many countries require for entry. It is used with extra caution in older people and in those receiving it for the first time, because, very rarely, serious reactions can occur, so the centre carefully weighs the risk for each traveller. People with a severe egg allergy need special assessment, as the vaccine is produced using eggs. As it is mainly for travel, it should be arranged in good time, since protection takes a little while to develop and the certificate becomes valid after a set period.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who are significantly immunosuppressed should not have it, because it is a live vaccine.
- It is generally avoided in pregnancy unless the risk of yellow fever is high and there is no alternative.
- People with a severe egg allergy need special assessment, as the vaccine is made using eggs.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or a vaccine ingredient should not have it.
Monitoring
- A careful assessment at the centre, especially for older people, first-time recipients and those with egg allergy.
- A short period of observation after the injection in case of an immediate reaction.
- Issuing and recording the official certificate and advising when it becomes valid.
Side effects
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given.
- A mild temperature, headache or muscle aches for a few days.
- Feeling generally off or tired for a short time.
- Very rarely, serious reactions, which is why it is used with extra caution in older and first-time recipients.
Key interactions
- Other live vaccines may need to be given at the same time or spaced apart, as the centre advises.
- Medicines that weaken the immune system can make this live vaccine unsuitable, so tell the centre about them.
- Tell the centre about all your medicines and health conditions so it can assess whether the vaccine is safe for you.
Available as: An injection given at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre after the live vaccine is made up.
Answers
Yellow fever vaccine: frequently asked questions
What does the yellow fever vaccine protect against?
It protects against yellow fever, a serious illness spread by mosquito bites in parts of Africa and South America, mainly a risk when travelling there.
Where can I get it?
In the UK it can only be given at a registered yellow fever vaccination centre, which assesses you and issues the official certificate many countries require.
Can I have it if I am pregnant?
It is a live vaccine and is generally avoided in pregnancy unless the risk of yellow fever is high and there is no alternative, with advice from the centre.
Why is it used with caution in older people?
Very rarely, serious reactions can occur, and the risk is a little higher in older people and first-time recipients, so the centre weighs the risk carefully.
I am allergic to eggs; can I have it?
The vaccine is made using eggs, so people with a severe egg allergy need special assessment before being given it; tell the centre about any egg allergy.
The wider class
About Live vaccine (yellow fever protection, travel)
Yellow fever vaccine belongs to the live vaccine (yellow fever protection, travel) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
Building a medicines information resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free drug and formulary references for teams.