Why Must Overseas Travelers Get Yellow Fever Vaccination?

Yellow Fever is a viral illness that can be life-threatening in severe cases. It is usually spread by mosquitos and presents flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting. Although it may not be life-threatening in most cases, it can cause severe complications for certain people, such as those with a weak immune system, health conditions, or old age. It can cause severe vomiting, jaundice, bleeding, shock, and multiple organ failure in almost 15% of infected patients within 48 hours of infection, leading to death.  

Currently, the antiviral treatment for Yellow Fever has not been developed. However, the vaccine for the illness is available, which can prevent travelers from getting infected. Thus, the Yellow Fever Immunization in New York is the most effective way for overseas travelers in America to protect themselves against this nasty illness.  

The Yellow Fever Illness is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad, the Caribbean, Central and South America. So, if you are traveling to any of these countries or have a flight that passes through any of the high-risk areas, it is crucial to get the Yellow Fever Immunization vaccination from a government facility or travel clinic in New York. 

 In some regions where yellow fever is prevalent, laws have been made to mandate overseas travelers to get vaccinated at least 10 days before their departure. Therefore, travelers may be required to provide proof of the vaccination when traveling to or from high-risk countries affected by yellow fever to prevent outbreaks. 

 Risk of Side-Effects of the Yellow Fever Vaccination

Like any other vaccine, the Yellow Fever vaccine also has some side effects. Although the Yellow Fever vaccine is mild, most individuals may experience low fever, headache, and sore muscles after the vaccination. The common side effects usually subside within 24-48 hours of the vaccination and can be easily treated with over-the-counter medications. However, as per CDC, the risk of severe/life-threatening side effects from the vaccine is approximately 1.1 per 100,000 people vaccinated under 60 and 3.4 per 100,000 in people more than 60 years old. Thus, the complications are highly rare. 

If you are planning to travel overseas, it is highly recommended to visit the travel clinic in New York for a health assessment to determine whether you should get vaccinated (if you haven’t already). Get in touch with our team to schedule a consultation.