Yellow fever vaccine side effects
This page presents the adverse reaction to the Yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX). Responses to the yellow fever vaccine are usually very mild, if any.
The most common side effects
Reactions to the yellow fever vaccine are generally mild and include headache, muscle aches, and low-grade fever. 1 in 4 people might experience common side effects.
Serious side effects
Rarely do people develop severe reactions.
✓ Allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis). It affects 1 in 55,000 people.
✓ Swelling of the brain, spinal cord, or the surrounding tissues (encephalitis or meningitis). It affects 1 in 125,000 people.
✓ Guillain-Barré syndrome is an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and, sometimes, paralysis. It affects 1 in 125,000 people.
✓ Internal organ dysfunction or failure. It affects 1 in 250,000 people.
FAQ
Who is at higher risk of developing side effects of the yellow fever vaccine?
These categories of people are at higher risk of side effects after getting the yellow fever vaccine:
✓ Between 6-8 months old
✓ Over 60 years old
✓ Pregnant
✓ Breastfeeding
✓ Egg allergy
Even if a person belongs to one of the above-mentioned categories, it does not mean they cannot get the vaccine. They should consult the healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of the vaccination in their particular case.