Yellow Fever
Price per dose: £70
Number of doses required: 1
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is a serious infection spread by mosquitos. The mosquitoes that carry the yellow fever virus are usually found in towns and rural areas. They tend to bite during the day.
Yellow fever is found in places including:
• Parts of sub-Saharan Africa
• Parts of South America including Trinidad and Tobago
• Parts of Central America
Yellow fever isn’t found in Europe, the UK, Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands or New Zealand.
Signs & symptoms of Yellow Fever
Yellow fever symptoms typically begin three to six days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Early signs may include:
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Fever
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Headache
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Nausea or vomiting
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Muscle and body aches
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Loss of appetite
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General feeling of being unwell
These symptoms usually last for three to four days. However, in some cases, more severe symptoms may develop around 24 hours after initial recovery.
Serious symptoms can include:
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Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
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Dark urine
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Abdominal pain
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Bleeding in vomit or stool
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Bleeding from the eyes, mouth, stomach, or nose
When yellow fever progresses to this severe stage, it can be life-threatening, so immediate medical attention is crucial.
You should book an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you feel unwell after travelling to a country where yellow fever is present.
If you develop symptoms while abroad, seek medical help immediately — don’t wait until you return to the UK.
Treating Yellow Fever
There’s currently no specific cure for yellow fever, but most people recover completely within three to four days.
If you develop severe symptoms, hospital care may be required for close monitoring and supportive treatment — so it’s important to seek urgent medical attention.
To help ease milder symptoms, you can:
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Take pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (as advised)
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Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
Preventing Yellow Fever
Although the yellow fever vaccine offers strong protection against the virus, it’s still important to take steps to avoid mosquito bites and reduce the risk of other mosquito-borne diseases.
Protective measures include:
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Wearing long sleeves and trousers to cover exposed skin, both day and night
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Using insect repellent containing at least 50% DEET
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Avoiding areas with stagnant or standing water where mosquitoes breed
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Sleeping under a mosquito net for extra protection at night
Yellow Fever Vaccination
If you’re travelling to a region where yellow fever is a risk, a highly effective vaccine is available to protect you. It’s administered as a single injection in the upper arm.
For entry into certain countries, you’ll also need an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) as proof of vaccination. Keep this certificate safe and make a copy for your records.
The vaccine should be given at least 10 days before travelling to ensure it provides full protection.
Some people may experience mild side effects such as:
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Headache
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Slight fever
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Muscle aches
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Tenderness around the injection site
These usually disappear within two weeks. Rarely, more serious side effects like allergic reactions may occur. However, the risk of yellow fever itself can be life-threatening, so vaccination is strongly recommended. Your Boots pharmacist will explain potential side effects during your appointment.
If you feel unwell within a few days or weeks after your vaccination, contact your GP and let them know you’ve recently received the yellow fever vaccine.
If you or your child have had the MMR vaccine, you’ll need to wait at least four weeks before receiving the yellow fever vaccination.
Book your travel health consultation
For expert travel health advice and vaccinations, book an appointment online. It’s best to schedule your visit six to eight weeks before you travel, but even if your trip is sooner, it’s still worth seeking professional guidance.
