Yellow Fever Vaccine, Injection YEL-o FEE-ver vak-SEEN

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vaccine

Generic and brand names: yellow fever vaccine; YF-Vax

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to provide protection against the yellow fever virus. The vaccine is given to people 9 months of age and older who are traveling to or living in areas of Africa, South America, or other countries where there is yellow fever infection. You may also be given this vaccine if you are a laboratory worker who might be exposed to the yellow fever virus.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before receiving this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or vaccine, or to latex, eggs, or chickens
• a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from taking immunosuppressant medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, cancer medicines, radiation therapy, or steroid medicines to treat arthritis
• a thymus disorder such as myasthenia gravis, thymoma, DiGeorge Syndrome, or thymus surgery
• any problems involving the nervous system, such as seizures

If you are severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled, wait until you recover before getting this vaccine. If you have a mild cold or mild upper respiratory infection with or without fever, you may still be able to get your shot. Tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection of any kind.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

These shots are given only by a healthcare provider at an approved vaccination center. Usually you will need this shot at least 10 days before you travel and a booster dose every 10 years.

What should I watch out for?

Keep records of your immunizations. After you get this vaccine, make sure that you keep the International Certificate of Vaccination. You need this document to enter certain countries. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This vaccine may be given at the same time as most other vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

You may have mild problems such as soreness where the shot was given, mild headache, low fever, and minor aches and pains for 5 to 10 days after receiving this vaccine. Contact your healthcare provider if these symptoms last longer or if you feel worse.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever (over 103°), seizures, stiff neck, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness or tiredness, unusual bruising or bleeding, decreased urination, severe muscle aches, severe headache.

Other: Low fever; flushing; minor aches and pains; mild headache; redness, pain or swelling where you receive the injection.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• medicines used to treat cancer such as cisplatin, doxorubicin (Adriamycin), hydroxyurea (Hydrea), vinblastine, and vincristine
• other vaccines. Tell your healthcare provider about any other immunizations you have had or are scheduled to receive.
• radiation therapy

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.