Yf-Vax

 
Generic Name: yellow fever vaccine

Brands: YF-Vax

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What is the most important information I should know about Yf-Vax?

· People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Yf-Vax.

· Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to eggs, chicken, gelatin, or Yf-Vax should not get Yf-Vax.

 

What is Yf-Vax?

· Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. Yellow fever is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It cannot be spread from person to person. Yellow fever can cause fever and flu-like illness, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), liver failure, respiratory failure, kidney failure, vomiting of blood, and possibly death. The Yf-Vax exposes the individual to a small amount of the virus (or to a protein from the virus) and causes the body to develop immunity to the disease.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving Yf-Vax?

· Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to eggs, chicken, gelatin, or Yf-Vax should not get Yf-Vax.

· Before receiving Yf-Vax, talk to your doctor if you:     ·have HIV or AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system;     ·are taking a medication that affects the immune system (e.g. steroids, anti-rejection medications);     ·have cancer;     ·are receiving cancer treatment with x-rays, radiation, or medication; or     ·have recently had a blood transfusion or were given other blood products.

· Ask your healthcare provider for more information. Yf-Vax may not be recommended in some cases.

· Infants younger than 9 months of age generally should not receive Yf-Vax. For infants 6 to 8 months of age who cannot avoid travel to yellow fever area, vaccination options should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Under no circumstances should infants younger than 6 months of age be vaccinated with Yf-Vax.

· If you are 65 years of age or older, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of receiving the Yf-Vax before getting vaccinated.

· People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. Those who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover before getting Yf-Vax.

· Women who are pregnant should avoid travel to a yellow fever area. If travel cannot be avoided, discuss vaccination with your doctor.

· Talk to your doctor before getting Yf-Vax if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How is Yf-Vax administered?

· Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will administer the Yf-Vax as an injection.

· Yf-Vax should be administered to persons 9 months of age or older traveling to or living in an area where the risk of yellow fever is known to exist. Some countries may require vaccination.

· After receiving the vaccine, you should receive an International Certificate of Verification (yellow card) that has been validated by the vaccinations center. This certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination and lasts for 10 years. You will need this card as proof of vaccination to enter certain countries.

· If you cannot receive the Yf-Vax because of a medical reason and proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for your travel, your doctor can give you a waiver letter. When planning to use a waiver letter, you should also obtain specific advice from the embassy of the country or countries you plan to visit.

· If you continue to travel or live in yellow fever endemic areas, you should receive a booster dose of Yf-Vax every 10 years.

· As with any disease transmitted by mosquitos, precautions should be taken to prevent exposure to yellow fever. Theses precautions may include remaining in well screened areas, wearing clothes that cover most of the body, and using an effective repellant ( i.e. containing up to 50% N,N-diethylmetatoluamide (DEET)).

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Contact your doctor if a dose of Yf-Vax is missed.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· An overdose of Yf-Vax is unlikely to occur.

 

What should I avoid before or after getting Yf-Vax?

· There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity before or after receiving Yf-Vax.

 

What are the possible side effects of Yf-Vax?

· Getting yellow fever is much riskier than getting the Yf-Vax. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, is capable of causing serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of Yf-Vax causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. Most people who get Yf-Vax do not have any problems with it.

· Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if any of the following rare but serious side effects from Yf-Vax are experienced:     ·a serious allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; or a fast heart beat within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot;     ·behavior changes; or     ·seizures (jerking or staring).

· Other less serious side effects may occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience:     ·mild to moderate fever;     ·soreness or swelling where the shot was given;     ·flu-like symptoms; or     ·mild rash.

· Your doctor may recommend reducing fever and pain by taking an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra, others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Your healthcare provider can tell you the appropriate dosages of these medications..

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Contact your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Yf-Vax?

· Talk to your doctor before receiving Yf-Vax if you are taking any of the following medications that may affect the immune system:     ·an oral or injectable steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others), or triamcinolone (Aristocort);     ·an inhaled or nasal steroid such as beclomethasone (Qvar, Beclovent, Beconase, Vanceril, Vancenase), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort), flunisolide (Aerobid, Nasalide, Nasarel), fluticasone (Flovent, Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), or triamcinolone (Azmacort, Nasacort);     ·treatment for cancer with chemotherapy (medication), radiation, or x-rays;     ·azathioprine (Imuran);     ·basiliximab (Simulect);     ·cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf);     ·etanercept (Enbrel);     ·leflunomide (Arava);     ·muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);     ·mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);     ·sirolimus (Rapamune); or     ·tacrolimus (Prograf).

· Drugs other than those listed here may also affect whether or not you should receive the Yf-Vax. Talk to your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals, or herbal products you are taking.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your doctor or pharmacist may have additional information or suggest additional resources regarding Yf-Vax.

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