Yellow Fever Vaccine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 4, 2024.

Applies to yellow fever vaccine: subcutaneous powder for suspension.

Precautions

It is very important that you or your child return to your doctor at the right time for the second dose (as directed by your doctor). Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble breathing after you receive the vaccine.

Side effects from this vaccine could occur up to 30 days after you receive the shot. Be sure to tell your doctor about any serious side effects that occur during that time.

Yellow fever vaccine may cause a serious side effect called neurotropic disease or post-vaccinal encephalitis. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have confusion, irritability, headache, seizures, stiff neck, or vomiting.

This vaccine may cause serious allergic reactions affecting multiple body organs (e.g., liver or kidney). Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: fever, dark urine, headache, rash, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or yellow eyes or skin.

Since the vaccine may not protect everyone completely, it is very important that you use precautions to reduce your chance of mosquito bites. These include using insect repellents and mosquito nets, wearing protective clothing, and staying indoors during twilight and after dark.

The stopper of the vial contains dry natural rubber (a derivative of latex), which may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex. Tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy before you start receiving this vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you are receiving a treatment or using a medicine that causes a weak immune system. This may include radiation therapy, steroid medicines, or cancer medicines.

Other side effects

Some side effects of yellow fever vaccine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, yellow fever vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking yellow fever vaccine:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to yellow fever vaccine: injectable powder for injection, subcutaneous powder for injection.

Nervous system adverse events

• Frequency not reported: Headaches,
• Postmarketing reports: Yellow fever vaccine-associated neurotropic disease (YFV-AND), fatal encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, bulbar palsy^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Reduced reactogenicity
• Postmarketing reports: Yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease (YEL-AVD)

Reduced reactogenicity was seen in patients with serological evidence of previous exposure to yellow fever virus.

Local

• Frequency not reported: Local edema, pain at injection site, mass at injection site, local erythema^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have infrequently included immediate reactions characterized by rash, urticaria, and/or asthma. These mainly occur in vaccinees with histories of egg allergy.^[Ref]

Immediate hypersensitivity occurs principally in patients with allergies to egg or other substances in the vaccine.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Other

• Frequency not reported: Fever, malaise, asthenia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia

See also:

Further information

Yellow fever vaccine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer