Yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a virus and is spread through mosquito bites.

It can sometimes develop into serious illness and may even be fatal. Yellow fever is present in parts of Central and South America and Sub-Saharan Africa and also parts of the Caribbean. Yellow fever can be prevented by having the right vaccination. Only designated centres in the UK can administer yellow fever vaccinations. Reach Pharmacy in Glasgow areas of Gartcosh and Finnieston are designated yellow fever centres. If you are travelling to any of the above-mentioned regions, then please get in touch with the team on 01236 879 056 for travel health advice and vaccinations.

 

In this Yellow fever article

We discuss here what is yellow fever, its symptoms, how to stay protected from yellow fever while on holiday in the parts world where risk is high, how soon you should get your yellow fever vaccine before your travel date and any side effects of the vaccination.

 

Symptoms of Yellow fever

The symptoms normally develop in 3 to 6 days. They could be fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches.

 

Is Yellow Fever fatal?

Around 1 in 10 people who suffer from yellow fever develop serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and sometimes death.

 

Yellow fever Treatment

There is no effective treatment for Yellow Fever. Vaccination is the best form of protection. Travellers to areas carrying the risk of yellow fever may need a single dose injection of Stamaril to stay protected.

 

How Yellow fever vaccination work?

The vaccine develops immunity in your body against the virus that causes the infection. However, it takes time to do so, hence it should be given at least 10 days before travelling to an area where the infection is found.

You need to provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate at the entrance to some countries. The certificate will only become valid 10 days after you are vaccinated.

The yellow fever vaccination is administered in the form of a single injection and it helps almost over 95% of those who have it to stay protected from the infection.

 

Is a booster dose needed?

The vaccination cover lasts for life in most people and hence vaccination certificates are also valid for life.

Booster doses are usually only recommended if you're travelling to an area where yellow fever is found and you were last vaccinated more than 10 years ago and when you were last vaccinated, you were under 2 years old, pregnant, or had a weakened immune system – for example, because of HIV or preparation for a bone marrow transplant.

If you are in doubt, please contact Reach Pharmacy in Glasgow and they will be able to give you expert advice.

 

Yellow fever vaccine cost?

Yellow fever vaccine is not available for free on the NHS, so you'll have to pay for it. The price varies from clinic to clinic. Please check with Reach Pharmacy in Glasgow for best prices on yellow fever vaccines in Glasgow.

 

Yellow fever vaccination Certificate

According to WHO regulations, anyone travelling to a country or area where there is a risk of picking up or spreading the virus that causes yellow fever must have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).

Always make dure to have a photocopy or electronic copy of your ICVP. This will make it easier to get a replacement certificate if the original certificate is lost or damaged

 

Yellow fever vaccine common side effects

One in every three people experiences mild side effects after having the yellow fever vaccine, such as:

• a headache

• muscle pain

• a mild fever

• soreness at the injection site

Reactions at the injection site usually occur one to five days after being vaccinated. The other side effects may last for up to two weeks.

 

Rare side effects

There are also some more serious but very rare side effects that can occur, including an allergic reaction and problems affecting the brain or organs.

These occur less than 10 times for every million doses of vaccine given.

Get medical advice if you feel very unwell within a few days or weeks of having the yellow fever vaccine.

 

Reach Pharmacy in Glasgow - Registered Yellow Fever Centre.

 

Reach Pharmacy in Glasgow is a registered yellow fever vaccination centre and the team is always at hand if you need to travel health advice and vaccinations. You can call them on 01236 879 056 or visit the store in person.

 

Travel Health Tips

Even if you have been vaccinated, it’s still a good idea to take steps to prevent mosquito bites while you’re travelling – for example, by using mosquito nets, wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing, and applying insect repellent containing 50% DEET to exposed skin. You can stay up to date with latest travel health advice and developments on NHS FitforTravel website.