Yellow fever vaccination

The yellow fever vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine (Stamaril®) and should therefore not be used in certain immune disorders.

When is yellow fever vaccination recommended?

The vaccine is recommended for travellers to countries where yellow fever is present, even when vaccination is not compulsory.

Vaccination is recommended from the age of 9 months and may exceptionally be given from 6 months of age. Vaccination is contraindicated in children younger than 6 months, people with certain immune disorders and thymus problems.

Some situations require a careful risk-benefit analysis by an expert due to an increased risk of side effects, or reduced efficacy of the vaccine: travellers older than 60 years, children between 6 and 9 months, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Usually, vaccination with a live attenuated vaccine during pregnancy is not recommended and it is advised not to travel to an area where yellow fever occurs, but vaccination is possible in pregnant women if there is a real risk.

If vaccination is not possible due to medical reasons, you are usually advised not to travel to a yellow fever risk area, consult your doctor.

Vaccination schedule

Vaccination is valid for life for most of the healthy travellers from 2 years old.

A one time revaccination is recommended for children children over the age of 2 years, people living with HIV and pregnant women. 

The vaccine must be given at least 10 days before arrival.

Administration

The vaccine can only be administered at an official yellow fever vaccination centre.

A yellow fever vaccination is always registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis. This will be checked in countries where vaccination is compulsory. 

In some countries, yellow fever does not occur, but vaccination is mandatory if you have recently been to a country where yellow fever is present. This may also apply to a stopover in an airport. The advice on yellow fever vaccination on Wanda is based on the WHO guideline and is updated regularly. However, each country can change its vaccination requirements at any time, which can make it different from what the WHO specifies. If you as a traveller notice this, you can always inform us via the feedback form.

If vaccination is contra indicated, the vaccination center can provide a certificate of "temporarily contraindication".

Side effects

• About 20% of those vaccinated have mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache or nausea after a few days. These can be treated with paracetamol if necessary and will disappear within a few days.
• Very rarely, serious neurological or generalised side effects occur, especially in people over 60 years of age and in certain medical conditions.