Yellow fever vaccine helps protect children and adults against a serious infectious disease called yellow fever.
Yellow fever is a viral infection that occurs in certain areas of the world. It is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
This medicine is given to individuals living in, passing through or travelling to an area where there is a risk of yellow fever. It may also be given to individuals who are handling infectious materials such as laboratory workers.
Yellow fever vaccine is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the upper arm or thigh).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Do not use Yellow fever vaccine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine, eggs, chicken protein or any of the ingredients of the vaccine.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severely weakened immune system due to disease e.g. HIV infection or AIDS, cancer, disease of the thymus gland (a part of the immune system that is located beneath the breastbone in the upper chest)
- severely weakened immune system due to certain medications or treatments e.g. medicines for cancer, radiation therapy
- high or moderate fever or sudden illness
- history of problems with the thymus gland or have had surgery to remove the thymus gland for any reason
as Yellow fever vaccine may not be suitable for you.
Do not give Yellow fever vaccine to children below 6 months old unless instructed by the doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have HIV infection but do not have active symptoms and have a moderately weakened immune system.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Yellow fever vaccine to children aged ≥6 months or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. blood tests for other diseases caused by mosquitoes), inform the doctor that you were immunised with Yellow fever vaccine.
Yellow fever vaccine may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, muscle or joint pain, fever, and pain, redness, swelling or bruising at the injection site.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- high fever with headache and confusion, stiff neck, fits or seizures, trouble controlling body movements, inability to move facial muscles
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- temporary loss of consciousness; fainting or passing out
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are receiving any medicines that may weaken your immune system.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C. Do not allow Yellow fever vaccine to freeze. If frozen, this medicine will become ineffective and should not be used.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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