Yellow fever - Vaccination

Prevention

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Insect bites and stings

Contents

1. Overview
2. Symptoms
3. Treatment
4. Prevention

There are some simple precautions you can take to reduce your risk of being bitten or stung by insects.

It is particularly important to follow this advice if you have had a bad reaction to an insect bite or sting in the past or you are travelling to an area where there is a risk of picking up a serious illness.

Yellow fever - Overview

Overview

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Yellow fever

Contents

1. Overview
2. Vaccination

Yellow fever is a serious infection spread by mosquitoes. It is found in parts of Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

There is a vaccine that can stop you getting it if you are travelling to an area where the infection is found.

Yellow fever vaccination

The yellow fever vaccine is recommended if you are travelling to:

• an area where yellow fever is found
• a country that requires you to have a certificate proving you have been vaccinated against yellow fever.

You need to have the vaccine at least 10 days before travelling to give it enough time to work. Your certificate will only be valid after this time. The vaccine and certificate are only available from registered yellow fever vaccination centres.

The jab is not usually given for free on the NHS and typically costs around £60 to £80. The vaccine provides lifelong protection, so you will not normally need a booster dose or a new certificate if you have been vaccinated before.