A brief history
Yellow fever was a major milestone in vaccine development: the 17D vaccine was developed in 1937. The disease remains a concern in parts of Africa and the Americas. Its name refers to the jaundice that can occur when the liver is affected.
How does it spread?
Infected mosquitoes spread the virus in forest and urban transmission cycles. Several mosquito species are involved, including Aedes and Haemagogus. Many bite during daylight, so repellent and covering clothing are important throughout the day, alongside vaccination when appropriate.
Symptoms and possible complications
Early symptoms include fever, headache, aches, nausea and weakness. Many people improve, but some develop a severe phase with returning fever, jaundice, bleeding, shock or organ failure. This requires urgent hospital care and can be fatal. Fever or jaundice after travel should be assessed promptly, with your itinerary explained to the clinician.
Where it may be relevant
- Travellers to a country or area with yellow fever transmission risk
- People who need a certificate because of destination, transit or onward-travel rules
- Travellers whose individual disease risk outweighs vaccine risks
Yellow fever risk map
Yellow highlights countries with recognised yellow fever transmission risk in all or part of the country. This is a country-level overview, not a map of current outbreaks or exact risk boundaries. Select a country for local guidance and maps.
Dose schedules
The clinician will select the appropriate licensed schedule after reviewing age, health, previous doses and departure date.
Primary vaccination
Eligible travellers
One dose usually provides lifelong protection; certificate and clinical exceptions are assessed individually.
Who may be eligible
- Most travellers aged nine months or over when vaccination is recommended or required
- People attending an authorised Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre after formal risk assessment
Who may not be eligible
- Anyone with a confirmed severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or a vaccine ingredient
- People who are acutely unwell with a significant fever may need vaccination deferred
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, immune suppression and current medicines must be reviewed individually
- Infants under six months must not receive the vaccine; ages six to eight months require exceptional specialist consideration
- Significant immune suppression, thymus disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding and age 60 or over require careful individual assessment because this is a live vaccine
Potential side effects
- Pain, redness or swelling where the injection is given
- Headache, tiredness, muscle aches or a mild fever
- Feeling faint around the time of vaccination
Important risks and precautions
- A severe allergic reaction is very rare and requires urgent treatment
- Protection is not absolute, so relevant food, water, bite or exposure precautions remain important
- The exact product and schedule must be confirmed during a clinical assessment
- Rare serious reactions include yellow-fever-vaccine-associated neurological or viscerotropic disease
- A certificate normally becomes valid 10 days after a first dose
Clinical references