As travel continues opening up, we know that you may be looking to head off on your holidays to South America or the Caribbean. When travelling to these destinations, it is vital that you get your yellow fever vaccine before you jet off. All of the preparations may seem overwhelming; that’s why we are here to take the stress away. We are a certified Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre; this means that we are able to offer you a yellow fever vaccine in Birmingham.
Keep reading to find out why you need the vaccine, and how you can book your appointment. Let us help you get where you need to go, safely.
Yellow fever is a virus that is spread through the bites of an infected mosquito. These mosquitoes mainly bite during the day; they can be found in rural areas, towns and cities in high-risk countries.
The symptoms of yellow fever are as follows:
– A loss of appetite
– Muscle pain and backache
– Feeling generally unwell
– Eyes becoming sensitive to light
– A high temperature
– Vomiting or feeling sick
Up to 1 in 4 people also experience symptoms such as:
– Vomiting blood or blood in their poo
– Jaundice
– Bleeding from their ears, eyes or mouth
If you experience any of these symptoms in a high-risk country, you should see a doctor immediately.
There is no cure for yellow fever. However, the symptoms can be treated while your body is fighting the infection. The majority of people make a full recovery after 3-4 days, however, up to half of those with more severe symptoms will die.
The vaccine is the most effective way for you to develop sufficient protection against yellow fever in advance of your trip. If you are looking to go abroad, to any destination, it is always important to check up-to-date travel guidance before your trip.
You can find out more about other vaccinations you may need, as well as the ones we offer, in our ultimate travel clinic guide:
Generally, you will need the vaccine if you are travelling to destinations such as:
– The area below the Sahara desert (parts of Sub-Saharan Africa)
– Trinidad (in the Caribbean)
– Parts of South and Central America
Essentially, you should get the vaccine at least 10 days before your trip. This will allow you enough time for the vaccine to work. If you or your child has had the MMR vaccine, you are required to wait at least 4 weeks before having this one.
It is important to note that some countries require proof of a yellow fever vaccine prior to entry. This is why it is vital that you check travel guidance for your destination of choice in advance.
Ordinarily, once you have had the vaccine you are protected for life.
However, you should get a booster dose if you had your jab while you were:
– Pregnant
– Under 2 years old
– Had a weak immune system
– Living with HIV
– About to have a bone marrow transplant
Other than getting vaccinated, there are several ways that you can try to prevent the mosquito bites themselves.
You should make sure that you:
– Wear clothes that cover both your arms and legs
– Use mosquito nets
– Use insect repellent with 30-50% DEET
Further guidance surrounding insect bite prevention can be found on the NHS website.
If you are looking to head off on your holidays, we offer convenient online booking to work around your busy schedule. We would recommend booking your vaccine as soon as possible so that you don’t get caught out.
So, why wait to protect yourself?
Contact us to book your yellow fever vaccine!
This blog post was written on behalf of The Travel Health Clinic by Carla Moore from Pharmacy Mentor.
