If you’re considering a vacation in the tropics, you probably already know that you’ll need a few vaccinations to stay safe during your travels. Warmer weather creates an appealing environment for bacteria, viruses, and disease-causing parasites unfamiliar to us in more temperate climates. One illness you’ll need to watch out for in these warmer regions is yellow fever, a disease that kills over 30,000 people each year and for which there is no cure or effective treatment. You can get vaccinated against yellow fever before your trip to protect yourself. The yellow fever vaccine is highly effective and is a crucial precaution for travelers visiting areas where the virus is endemic.
What Is Yellow Fever?
Similar to other tropical diseases like dengue fever and malaria, yellow fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, specifically the Aedes Aegypti species. Yellow fever develops between three and six days after the bite, but many of those infected will show no symptoms at all.
Those that develop a mild form of the illness can have a fever, headache, severe chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or overall weakness. If it progresses to a more severe form, the infected person will usually feel better for a few days before getting a more intense fever and jaundice of the skin and eyes (where the name yellow fever comes from), followed by organ failure and finally death.
Where Is Yellow Fever Commonly Found?
Here in the West, yellow fever is virtually unheard of, or at least it has been for the past century or so. Before 1905, the last year that the U.S. had a major outbreak, yellow fever killed tens of thousands of people, mostly around the Gulf Coast. Thanks to mosquito population control measures like draining swamps, spraying pesticides, and then in the 1950s, a vaccine, yellow fever has been all but eradicated in the U.S.
Now, yellow fever is endemic to two regions of the world—Sub-Saharan Africa and the Amazon Basin in South America. If you travel to a country in one of these regions, you may need to get a yellow fever vaccine, as these regions could recommend or even require it.
Do I Need a Yellow Fever Vaccine?
That depends on where you’re traveling. Yellow fever is endemic (present in the area) in many countries in Central and South America and Sub-Saharan Africa. These countries often require you to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, especially if you have recently visited another yellow fever endemic country.
Even if a yellow fever vaccine is not required for entry, you may need one if you are visiting areas of risk. Spending a lot of time outdoors or traveling during the rainy season will increase the risk of yellow fever. Your travel health specialist is the best person to assess your risk and is up to date with the latest country-specific requirements.
The vaccine is not without side effects either; between 10% and 30% of travelers may experience flu-like symptoms after receiving their shot. However, the vaccine provides nearly 100% immunity and also provides you with peace of mind should your travels take you to a higher-risk area.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Yellow Fever Vaccine
Where Can I Get a Yellow Fever Vaccine? Vaccine Locations
Only certain places are endemic for yellow fever, so most travelers won’t need to get vaccinated against it. It’s also a live virus vaccine with special considerations for handling and administration. Most primary care physicians do not have access to the yellow fever vaccine because only CDC-certified vaccination centers, such as designated travel clinics and county health clinics, administer it.
If you live in Arizona, TravelBug Health in Scottsdale is one of the best places to get a yellow fever vaccine. Our travel medicine specialists will have the most up-to-date information about where yellow fever is present and the level of risk your trip might present.
How Much Does the Yellow Fever Vaccine Cost?
The yellow fever vaccine contains a live, attenuated virus, which initiates a stronger immune response than vaccines containing an inactivated virus, such as seasonal flu shots. For this reason alone, you’ll need a consultation with a qualified travel medicine specialist who will review your medical history and weigh the potential impact of those side effects.
TravelBug Health offers the yellow fever vaccine for $374. We administer the vaccine as part of a comprehensive travel consultation ($125), during which we review your medical history, immunizations and other important information about your itinerary.
Does Insurance Cover the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
As with other vaccines needed for travel, most medical insurance will not pay for the yellow fever vaccine. Yellow fever is not endemic to the United States so the vaccine is not included in the routine immunization schedules. You will be responsible for the cost of the vaccine and the consultation.
How Long Does the Yellow Fever Vaccine Last?
Prior to 2016, it was considered necessary to get a booster dose of the yellow fever vaccine every 10 years to maintain immunity. Based on decades of vaccine data, the recommendations and international health regulations were updated in July of 2016 and now a single dose of the yellow fever vaccine is considered sufficient for lifelong protection. However, an additional booster dose of yellow fever vaccine could still be recommended for certain individuals with special health or immune issues.
How To Prevent Yellow Fever
In addition to the vaccine, it is extremely important to practice insect bite precautions to prevent getting yellow fever and other insect-borne diseases, including malaria which is usually also present in yellow fever endemic areas.
- Wear DEET or Picaridin containing Insect Repellent
- Avoid Outdoor Activities at Dawn and Dusk
- Wear Long Sleeves and Pants
- Treat Your Clothing With Permethrin
- Book Accommodations With Air Conditioning or Bed Nets
Protect Yourself With a Yellow Fever Vaccine from TravelBug Health
The chances of contracting yellow fever are exceedingly low if you aren’t traveling to one of the dozen or so countries where it’s endemic. However, if you are traveling to one of them, the yellow fever vaccine is incredibly effective and provides lifetime immunity against the virus.
Yellow fever is only one of the many diseases that may infect travelers. With the help of a travel medicine specialist, you can minimize the risk of contracting them while exploring the globe. TravelBug Health can provide you with a comprehensive pre-travel health consultation to assist you in understanding these risks and how to mitigate them while you’re abroad.
Contact TravelBug Health today to learn more!
