Are there adverse reactions to the yellow fever vaccine?
There is a theoretical risk of adverse effects on pregnancy because yellow fever vaccine is a live virus. But yellow fever vaccination has been given to many pregnant women without any apparent adverse effects on the fetus. One study of women vaccinated during pregnancy showed a slightly increased risk of spontaneous abortion. There have been a small number of fatalities reported following vaccination. This is considered to be an acceptablerisk, but undelines the importance of safe procedures and surveillance. A history of oral intolerance to eggs or chicken protein is a contraindication for the normal procedure. These patients require testing with dilute vaccine, and may also require a desensitisation procedure. Age less than six monthsis a contraindication, as is the presence of severe febrile illness. The WHO recommend that the vaccine is used with caution in breast-feeding mothers. (In the UK this is a contra-indication). Age may be a contraindication. In people aged 60 or older, t
