YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION
WHAT IS YELLOW FEVER?
Yellow fever spreads through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can live and breed in urban, wild and semi-domestic environments. It’s a serious and sometimes fatal viral disease. However, yellow fever can be prevented with a vaccine.
Most yellow fever incidences are in sub-Saharan Africa, but the disease is also endemic in some South and Central American countries. Cases of yellow fever have also occurred in the Caribbean.
WHY DO I NEED A VACCINATION?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), yellow fever is a high-threat, high-impact disease. Under stringent WHO regulations, travellers to affected countries must carry an international vaccine certificate as proof of vaccination against the virus.
Nearly all affected countries require an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) to prove you’ve been vaccinated against the virus. Travellers failing to produce an ICV can be quarantined, immunised or denied entry to the country.
COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY YELLOW FEVER
Yellow fever is endemic in sub-Saharan African countries, including Kenya, Cameroon and Senegal. It’s also endemic in Central and South American countries, including Peru, Brazil and Argentina.
Your risk of acquiring yellow fever is determined by several factors: your destination, the intensity of transmission, the season and duration of travel, and exposure to mosquitos.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
During the first phase of yellow fever, you may experience symptoms like muscle pain, headache, shivers, fever, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite. After three to four days, most people improve, and their symptoms disappear,
However, some people will move into a more severe stage of the illness within 24 hours of their apparent recovery. Symptoms include deterioration of kidney function, haemorrhagic fever, and jaundice. Approximately 50% of patients who develop these severe symptoms will die 7-10 days after the onset of the illness.
PREVENTION
No effective treatment for yellow fever exists. However, it is a preventable disease if you get vaccinated before you travel to destinations where the virus is known to exist. The yellow fever vaccine is the single most important measure in preventing the disease.
Travellers to at-risk areas may need a single dose of Stamaril, a yellow fever vaccine. Stamaril contains a live but weakened form of the yellow fever virus. It works by stimulating the body’s immune response against the virus, without causing the disease. A single dose can provide lifelong immunity,
GET VACCINATED AT YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY
Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy & Travel Clinic is an officially designated yellow fever centre. We’ll administer the vaccine and advise you on the best ways to stay safe on your travels.
Availability
Select your preferred pharmacy to visit their page and enquire about this service. Otherwise, pop into your local pharmacy and travel clinic at a time and location that suits you.
