DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Yellow Fever Vaccine (YEL-oh FEEV-er)
Brand Name: YF-Vax

YF-Vax is used for:

Immunizing against yellow fever infections for those traveling or living in an area with risk of infection.

YF-Vax is a vaccine. It works by stimulating the body to create antibodies, which provide protection from yellow fever infection.

Do NOT use YF-Vax if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in YF-Vax or latex rubber
• you are allergic to eggs, egg products, or chicken protein
• you have a weakened immune system due to HIV or cancer or are receiving radiation treatment or chemotherapy (eg, alkylating drugs, corticosteroids)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using YF-Vax :

Some medical conditions may interact with YF-Vax . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with YF-Vax . However, no specific interactions with YF-Vax are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if YF-Vax may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use YF-Vax :

Use YF-Vax as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• YF-Vax is administered as an injection at the doctor's office, hospital, or a clinic. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions that you may have about YF-Vax .
• An International Certificate of Vaccination should be given with this vaccine and may need to be shown as documentation when traveling to certain countries.
• If you miss a dose of YF-Vax , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use YF-Vax .

Important safety information:

• Keep all doctor and lab appointments while using YF-Vax .
• If you have a fever, illness, or infection, your doctor may delay giving the vaccine. Discuss this with your doctor.
• It will take 10 days for the full protection of this vaccine to take effect. A booster is recommended every 10 years.
• Do not rely on this vaccine alone. Ask your doctor about preventative measures that can be taken to avoid exposure to yellow fever.
• YF-Vax is not recommended for use in INFANTS younger than 9 months of age because there is a higher risk of swelling in the brain.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using YF-Vax during pregnancy. It is unknown if YF-Vax is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using YF-Vax , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of YF-Vax :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Fever; mild headache; muscle aches; pain, swelling, and hardness at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); swelling in the brain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of YF-Vax :

Store YF-Vax at a constant temperature in the freezer, at 32 to 41 degrees F (0 to 5 degrees C). Do not refreeze. Keep YF-Vax out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about YF-Vax , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• YF-Vax is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about YF-Vax . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.