YF-Vax
Generic name:yellow fever vaccine [ YEL-oh-FEE-ver ]
Brand names: Stamaril, YF-Vax
Drug class:Viral vaccines
What is YF-Vax?
YF-Vax is recommended for people who plan to live in or travel to areas where yellow fever is known to exist, or those who are otherwise at high risk of coming into contact with the virus.
This vaccine is used to help prevent yellow fever in adults and children who are at least 9 months old. The vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.
You should receive the vaccine at least 10 days prior to your arrival in an area where you may be exposed to the virus.
This vaccine is also recommended for people who work in a research laboratory and may be exposed to yellow fever virus through needle-stick accidents or inhalation of viral droplets in the air.
Like any vaccine, the YF-Vax may not provide protection from disease in every person.
Warnings
You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.
Before taking this medicine
You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a YF-Vax, or if you have:
an allergy to gelatin, eggs, or chicken proteins;
cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma;
a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer or HIV), or by taking certain medicines such as steroids;
a disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
a disease or tumor of the thymus gland, or if your thymus has been surgically removed; or
if you have received a transplant.
If you have a high risk of exposure to yellow fever, you may need to receive the vaccine even if you have an allergy to eggs or chicken products. Your doctor can give you the vaccine in several small doses to avoid an allergic reaction.
In special cases, a doctor or health official may determine that a child between 6 and 9 months old and an adult 60 years and older should receive a YF-Vax. Children younger than 6 months old should not receive this vaccine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a seizure;
a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain (or if this was a reaction to a previous vaccine);
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia; or
Guillain Barré syndrome.
You can still receive a vaccine if you have a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection,...
