What is YF-VAX used for?
- YF-VAX is used to prevent yellow fever.
Before taking YF-VAX, tell your doctor:
For all patients taking YF-VAX:
- If you are allergic to eggs, talk with the doctor.
- If you are allergic to YF-VAX; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have a weak immune system or a disease that may cause a weak immune system like HIV.
- If you are taking any drugs to suppress your immune system. This may be certain doses of steroids like prednisone. There are many drugs that can suppress your immune system. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- If you are getting radiation.
- If you are breast-feeding an infant younger than 9 months of age. Do not breast-feed an infant younger than 9 months of age if you get YF-VAX.
Children:
- If your child is younger than 9 months of age. Do not give this vaccine to a child younger than 9 months of age.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take YF-VAX with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take YF-VAX?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take YF-VAX. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- This medicine may not protect all people who use it. Talk with the doctor.
- If you get YF-VAX before you travel, you may need to take along proof that you have had this vaccine. Talk with your doctor.
- If you are 60 or older, use YF-VAX with care. You could have more side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using YF-VAX while you are pregnant.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
How is YF-VAX best taken?
Use YF-VAX as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
What are the side effects of YF-VAX that I need to call my doctor about immediately?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Feeling confused.
- Not able to move face muscles as much.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Trouble controlling body movements.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Seizures.
- A health problem that may lead to very bad organ problems has rarely happened with this vaccine. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad muscle pain or headache, feel very tired or weak, or have trouble breathing. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, not hungry, stomach pain, light-colored stools, or yellow skin or eyes. Call your doctor right away if you have any bruising or bleeding or signs of kidney problems like not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
What are some other side effects of YF-VAX?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Mild fever.
- Redness or swelling where the shot is given.
- Pain where the shot was given.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If overdose is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out YF-VAX?
- If you need to store YF-VAX at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
Consumer information use and disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about YF-VAX, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take YF-VAX or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to YF-VAX. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
