Category

• Immunizing agent, active

Description

Yellow Fever Vaccine is used to prevent infection by the yellow fever virus. It 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.

Infants 6 to 9 months of age and 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.

Infants 4 to 6 months of age may be vaccinated only if there is a high risk of getting yellow fever infection.

Vaccination against yellow fever is not recommended for infants younger than 4 months of age because they have an increased chance of getting serious side effects from the vaccine.

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 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.

The vaccine is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• YF-Vax

Generic name product may be available in Canada.