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When planning an upcoming trip, there is often a lot to think about and consider, whether it is organising repeat medication, ensuring you have the right amount of luggage allowance, or arranging transport to and from the airport.
If you’re heading to more tropical climes, however, then considering what vaccines you may need to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is essential.
Yellow fever is a virus you need to consider being vaccinated against if you are planning to travel to sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and parts of the Caribbean. In this guide, we discuss Yellow Fever, what the virus is and why the vaccine is critical. Keep reading to find out more.
What is Yellow Fever?
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes flu-like symptoms, which often remain mild, but some cases can worsen and lead to organ failure and death. The virus is transmitted by mosquito bites, and symptoms tend to appear three to six days after infection.
Yellow fever symptoms are often similar to the flu, presenting in fever, headaches, muscle pain and jaundice, in more severe cases. The disease is only spread through infected mosquitoes and, in most cases, remains mild, and those infected make a full recovery; however, being vaccinated is the best way to ensure you avoid the virus.
Who Needs the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
Anyone travelling to countries with yellow fever, including parts of sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Central America and Trinidad in the Caribbean, should get the vaccine. Even if you are only briefly travelling through a high-risk country that is home to infected mosquitoes, it is still recommended that you are vaccinated.
There are certain individuals who are more at risk than others. If you have a child who is over the age of 9 months, or you or someone you know has a weakened immune system, then they are way more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the disease, so you should ensure they get the vaccine before travelling.
You should also be aware that if you or your child has had the MMR vaccine, you will need to wait at least 4 weeks before having the yellow fever vaccine.
International Vaccination Requirements
If you are travelling to or through a high-risk country, then you should be prepared that they may ask you to show proof of your vaccination to ensure you aren’t bringing the disease into the country. Countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Brazil, and others often require the certificate for entry or for travel through a risk area.
If you are worried about the requirements of the country you are visiting, then the World Health Organisation is a great resource and should provide the information and country lists you are looking for.
If you're vaccinated, you will be provided with an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), which proves you have had vaccines that allow you to travel internationally. You should carry this with you if you have received a vaccination.
READ MORE: How to Avoid Mosquito Bites when Travelling
How the Vaccine Works
The vaccine works by introducing a weakened, but live version of the yellow fever virus into the body, which is injected through a needle. The attenuated virus is not strong enough to cause the disease in healthy adults, but it is enough to trigger the body to produce antibodies. The antibodies then provide protection against the actual virus should it be caught.
The vaccine needs to be administered at least 10 days before travel to allow it to become effective, but it should provide lifelong protection against the virus.
Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects and Safety Considerations
The vaccine, as with any injection, can cause some side effects that are worth considering. Common side effects include soreness and swelling of the injection site, headaches, muscle aches, fever and fatigue; however, most of these are short-lived and occur within the first week of you being vaccinated.
In rare cases, the vaccination can cause more long-term and serious illnesses, especially in those who are over the age of 60, so it is best to consult your doctor prior to getting any vaccinations to get their advice.
Where to Get the Yellow Fever Vaccine
You can get the yellow fever vaccination at a Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre or a registered pharmacy, including the likes of Boots and Superdrug, as well as other private clinics. The National Travel Health Network and Centre can provide locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland that will provide the vaccine.
The yellow fever vaccine is not currently available for free on the NHS. Because of this, you will have to pay for the vaccine, and the price can range from about £60 to £85.
Planning Ahead: Travel Insurance and Health Prep
Planning ahead and ensuring you have all the vaccines you need for the countries you are visiting will offer peace of mind and a stress-free holiday. The same applies to travel insurance, which should also be carefully considered and booked before travelling.
Travel insurance will offer you cover should anything happen whilst you’re travelling, especially incidents that are medically related. Here at Medical Travel Compared, we offer travel insurance for existing conditions, covering a wide range of conditions including diabetes, cancer and heart conditions. Travel insurance means you can holiday with the peace of mind that your specific medical conditions are covered.
Hopefully, this guide has given you some clarification on what yellow fever is, when you need a vaccine and why the vaccine is important. For more guides and articles like this, make sure you explore our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you are vaccinated, the yellow fever vaccine should provide lifelong protection, but it is best to confirm this with your doctor during the vaccination process.
Those are a whole host of countries that require a yellow fever vaccination, including sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Central America and parts of the Caribbean. For specific locations, you’re best to check the World Health Organisation.
Yes, children over 9 months of age can have the yellow fever vaccine.
The Yellow Fever vaccine can have a few side effects, including soreness and swelling of the injection site, headaches, muscle aches, fever symptoms and fatigue. There is sometimes the risk of more severe side effects, especially in older adults, so we would recommend speaking to your doctor if you’re concerned.
Yes, even if you are travelling through a high-risk country, the vaccine is recommended and sometimes required.