Yellow fever vaccine side effects FAQ

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What side effects should I expect after a yellow fever vaccination?

Most people do not develop any serious side effects after a yellow fever shot. However, rarely, severe adverse reactions and even deadly reactions occur:

Common Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects	Rare Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects
low grade fever flu-like symptoms headache muscle pain local pain and swelling overall weakness	difficulty breathing severe allergic reaction encephalitis meningitis internal organ failure internal organ dysfunction Guillain-Barré syndrome

What should I do if I have side effects from the yellow fever vaccine

Recognizing the yellow fever vaccine's associated side effects and knowing which medical services you may need is essential. See the table below.

Severe Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects	Minor Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects
Call 911 immediately if you have: seizures difficulty breathing stiff neck vomiting	Usually minor side effects include fever, hives, headache, and mild fatigue. They tend to resolve in one or two days and do not require any medical attention. Drink water and take over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol, Advil, or Benadryl as needed. *Call us at 212-696-5900 or call your primary care physician if symptoms do not resolve within 48 hours.