Yellow fever is an extremely dangerous viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. This means that 100% protection is not possible for the traveler. Yellow fever vaccination should be considered when traveling to southern countries. We will be happy to advise you on yellow fever vaccination in our practice in Munich.
The yellow fever virus belongs to the flaviviruses and to the pathogens of so-called hemorrhagic fever. These are diseases in which bleeding occurs. Mortality rates reported range from 30 to 60%.
For whom?
Yellow fever illnesses occur in countries in South America as well as Panama and large parts of central Africa.
The yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers to e.g. South America or Africa.
In some cases, the certificate is even required upon entry. This is especially the case when entering from a so-called “infected” country. Unfortunately, sometimes the official regulations are of little help, as one can be exposed to the arbitrariness of the staff when entering the country. Here, in case of doubt, a yellow fever vaccination in Germany under the secured conditions is preferable. Especially when traveling by ship, a valid yellow fever certificate is often indispensable for shore excursions.
The yellow fever vaccination is therefore partly a compulsory vaccination and the vaccination card should always be carried in the hand luggage. Besides the yellow fever vaccination, only the meningococcal vaccination is mandatory today.
History & Compatibility
The yellow fever vaccine in use today dates back to a development by Max Theiler at the Rockefeller Institute in about 1937. For this he received the Nobel Prize in 1951. Today’s vaccines are very well tolerated.
In the case of yellow fever vaccination, one should not have an allergy to chicken eggs and should not engage in extensive sports afterwards. In travelers over 60 years of age, the indication for yellow fever vaccination should be made with particular care. Overall, the vaccination is very well tolerated.
Special caution is advised in case of chicken egg protein allergy and acute infections as well as elderly persons in case of first vaccination.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Center
Only authorized vaccination practices are allowed to perform vaccination against yellow fever. These are the so-called yellow fever vaccination centers.
As early as 1947, Dr. med. Friedrich Frühwein received the official authorization for yellow fever vaccination and thus became the No. 1 yellow fever vaccination center in Bavaria and in Munich.