Stay Protected with Our Yellow Fever Vaccination Service
Your health and safety are our top priority!
At Whole Health Pharmacy Edmonton, we understand that when it comes to travel, prevention is key. That's why we're proud to be a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Center — a vital service for anyone heading to areas where this potentially life-threatening disease is prevalent.
What is a yellow fever vaccine?
It is a vaccine that contains live yellow fever virus that has been weakened. It is administered as a single injection. Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus that is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. These day-biting mosquitoes breed around houses, in forests or jungles, or in both habitats. It is a virus that attacks the liver and gets its name from the fact that it can cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow, a condition called jaundice.
Who Should Get the Yellow Fever Vaccine?
The Yellow Fever vaccine is recommended for anyone traveling to areas where the disease is found, including countries in Africa, South America, and some parts of the Caribbean. Many countries require proof of vaccination before allowing travelers to enter, so it's important to plan ahead if you're traveling to these regions. Even if you're not traveling, it's still good to know about Yellow Fever and the protection the vaccine provides, especially if you're living or working in a high-risk area.
What are the symptoms of yellow fever?
It takes 3 to 6 days after infection before symptoms start to appear. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, joint and muscle pain, back pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and dehydration. Most people infected with the yellow fever virus will either not get sick or have mild symptoms and recover after 3-4 days However, about 15% of patients experience a second and more serious phase within 24 hours of recovering from initial symptoms. They go on to develop jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), bleeding that can occur from the mouth, nose, eyes, or stomach, shock (the body is not getting enough blood flow), liver and kidney, or other organ failure. Half of these people will die within 10-14 days.
Why is Getting Vaccinated Important?
Protection for You: The vaccine helps prevent you from getting seriously sick or even dying from Yellow Fever. Protection for Others: When you get vaccinated, you're also helping to stop the spread of the disease to others, including local communities in high-risk areas. Travel Requirements: Many countries require proof of vaccination before allowing you to enter, especially if you are coming from a Yellow Fever-endemic area.
How Does the Yellow Fever Vaccine Work?
The Yellow Fever vaccine is a highly effective shot that helps protect you from getting the disease. Once you receive the vaccine, your body produces immunity against the virus, so if you're exposed to it later, your body can fight it off before you get sick. The vaccine is safe, and it provides protection for 10 years or more, so you only need to get it once for long-term protection.
What are the yellow fever vaccine side effects?
Side effects of yellow fever vaccine are generally mild and include low-grade fever, headache, and muscle aches that start days after vaccination and last for 5-10 days. Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site are also common after yellow fever vaccine. Rarely, serious reactions may occur following the yellow fever vaccine, such as nervous system reactions (encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, among others), and multi-organ failure. Age younger then 6 months and older than 60 and weakened immune system increase the risk of serious reactions to yellow fever vaccine