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Yellow Fever Vaccine
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Stability
Usual Dosage
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms

Pronunciation
(YEL oh FEE ver vak SEEN)

U.S. Brand Names
YF-VAX®

Generic Available

No


Pharmacological Index

Vaccine


Use

Induction of active immunity against yellow fever virus, primarily among persons traveling or living in areas where yellow fever infection exists. (Some countries require a valid international Certification of Vaccination showing receipt of vaccine; if a pregnant woman is to be vaccinated only to satisfy an international requirement, efforts should be made to obtain a waiver letter.) The WHO requires revaccination every 10 years to maintain traveler's vaccination certificate.


Pregnancy Risk Factor

D


Contraindications

Sensitivity to egg or chick embryo protein; pregnant women, children <6 months of age unless in high risk area


Warnings/Precautions

Do not use in immunodeficient persons or patients receiving immunosuppressants (eg, steroids, radiation); have epinephrine available in persons with previous history of egg allergy if the vaccine must be used. Avoid use in infants <6 months and pregnant women unless travel to high-risk areas are unavoidable; avoid use in infants <4 months of age.


Adverse Reactions

All serious adverse reactions must be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) 1-800-822-7967.

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Headache (2% to 5%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Myalgia (2% to 5%)

<1%: Encephalitis in very young infants (rare), anaphylaxis


Drug Interactions

Administer yellow fever vaccine at least 1 month apart from other live virus vaccines; defer vaccination for 3 weeks following immune globulin; concurrent cholera and yellow fever and concurrent hepatitis B vaccine and yellow fever vaccines may decrease immune response; separate vaccinations by 1 month, if possible; defer vaccination for 8 weeks following blood or plasma transfusion


Stability

Yellow fever vaccine is shipped with dry ice; do not use vaccine unless shipping case contains some dry ice on arrival; maintain vaccine continuously at a temperature between 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F)


Usual Dosage

One dose (0.5 mL) S.C. 10 days to 10 years before travel, booster every 10 years; see Warnings/Precautions


Patient Information

Immunity develops by the tenth day and WHO requires revaccination every 10 years to maintain travelers' vaccination certificates


Nursing Implications

Sterilize and discard all unused rehydrated vaccine and containers after 1 hour; avoid vigorous shaking


Dosage Forms

Injection: Not less than 5.04 Log10 Plaque Forming Units (PFU) per 0.5 mL


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