How long before a trip do I need to get vaccinated against yellow fever?
September 23, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Konrad Zellmann
Dear Doctor,
My name is Wilhelm Hinze and I am planning a trip to an area where yellow fever is prevalent in the near future. I am aware that vaccination against yellow fever is recommended, but I am unsure about how long before my trip I need to get vaccinated to be adequately protected.
I have heard that the yellow fever vaccination should be administered at least 10 days before the trip to ensure sufficient protection. However, I have also read that in some cases it is recommended to have the vaccination done 6 weeks before the trip to ensure that the immunity is fully established.
I am concerned about getting vaccinated too late and possibly being at an increased risk of contracting yellow fever. At the same time, I do not want to wait unnecessarily long if it is sufficient to get the vaccination shortly before the trip.
Can you please advise me on the exact timing for getting vaccinated against yellow fever before my trip to be optimally protected? I want to make sure that I take all necessary measures to travel safely and healthily.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Best regards,
Wilhelm Hinze
Dear Mr. Hinze,
Thank you for your question regarding the yellow fever vaccination and the optimal timing to get vaccinated before traveling to an area where yellow fever is present. It is very important to get vaccinated in time to ensure sufficient protection against this potentially life-threatening disease.
The yellow fever vaccination should ideally be done at least 10 days before the start of your trip to provide adequate protection. This is because it takes about 10 days for the body to produce enough antibodies after vaccination to build immunity against the yellow fever virus.
However, in some cases, it is recommended to get the yellow fever vaccination 6 weeks before the trip, especially if it is a first vaccination. This is because it may take longer for some individuals to build full immunity. By getting vaccinated early, you ensure that your body has enough time to develop an immune response.
It is important to note that the yellow fever vaccination only needs to be boosted every 10 years, unless there are special circumstances. So if you have been vaccinated against yellow fever in the past and the booster vaccination is still valid, it is usually sufficient to get vaccinated about 10 days before the trip.
However, if you are getting vaccinated against yellow fever for the first time or if your booster vaccination has expired, I strongly recommend getting vaccinated at least 6 weeks before your trip to ensure that the vaccination protection is fully established.
It is important to emphasize that the yellow fever vaccination is very effective and the best preventive measure against yellow fever. Additionally, you should take other protective measures such as using mosquito repellents and avoiding mosquito bites, as the yellow fever virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
I hope that this information helps you with your travel planning and protects you effectively against yellow fever. If you have any further questions or need more information, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Konrad Zellmann, Tropical Medicine Doctor
