Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral infection spread by day-biting mosquitoes in tropical parts of Africa and South America. Most infections are mild, but a minority progress to jaundice, bleeding and organ damage, and during outbreaks the death rate among severe cases is high. There is no treatment, which is why the World Health Organization recommends vaccination for anyone travelling to a risk area — and why many countries require proof of it before they will let you in.

A registered yellow fever centre

Yellow fever vaccine can only be given at centres registered with NaTHNaC, and Doorstep Pharmacy is one of them: our yellow fever centre registration number is UKYFC5291. You receive the vaccine and the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis at the same visit. Since 2016 the certificate has been valid for life, so a single dose is usually all you ever need.

Where you need it

• Tropical Africa, from Senegal across to Ethiopia and south to Angola and Zambia.
• Much of South America, including the Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador, and eastern Panama.
• Trinidad in the Caribbean.
• Some countries with no yellow fever of their own still require a certificate if you have passed through a risk area — the pharmacist will check the entry rules for your route.

The vaccine

Stamaril is a live vaccine given as a single injection at least ten days before you travel, which is when the certificate becomes valid. It is suitable from nine months of age. Because it is a live vaccine it is not given in pregnancy, to people with a weakened immune system, or to anyone with a severe egg allergy, and from the age of sixty the pharmacist will weigh the risk of travel against the small risk of a serious reaction. Where the vaccine is not right for you on medical grounds we can issue an exemption certificate instead.

Before you book

Bring any previous vaccination certificates. If you are on immunosuppressant medicines, have had your thymus removed, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell us when you book so the pharmacist can plan the appointment properly.

Not sure whether you need this one? Book the travel consultation instead and the pharmacist will go through your trip with you.