Yellow Fever - Vaccination - NHS

Who cannot have the yellow fever vaccine

There are some people who cannot have the yellow fever vaccine when it's recommended.

People who cannot have the vaccine include:

• babies under 6 months old
• people with a weakened immune system, such as those with leukaemia or lymphoma
• people whose immune system is weakened by treatment, such as steroids and chemotherapy
• people who are allergic to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, including people with an egg allergy
• people who've had a severe reaction to a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine
• people with a thymus gland disorder or who've had their thymus gland removed
• people over the age of 60 who are travelling to areas where yellow fever vaccine is not generally recommended
• people who have a close relative who has had a severe reaction to the vaccine causing damage to the brain or other organs

If you need a vaccination certificate for the country you're visiting but you're not able to have the vaccine, contact a yellow fever vaccination centre.

They may provide you with an exemption letter, which may be accepted by officials in countries that usually require a vaccination certificate.

Who may be able to have the vaccine in some circumstances

If you're not sure whether you can have the yellow fever vaccine, ask a travel health specialist at the vaccination centre. They'll do a full risk assessment based on your or your child's medical history and where you're travelling to.

People who may be able to have the vaccine include:

• those aged 60 and over – only when travel to a high-risk area is unavoidable
• those who are pregnant – if travel to a high-risk area is unavoidable
• those who are breastfeeding – expert advice is needed for women who are breastfeeding babies under 9 months
• those with long-term (chronic) inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis – if on low-dose steroid therapy
• babies from 6 months to under 9 months of age – if travel is unavoidable and risk is high, expert advice is needed
• those living with HIV – only after specialist advice

Take extra care to prevent insect bites while travelling if you have not been vaccinated.