Medisys
Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics in
Canada
Yellow Fever Description
Yellow Fever is a viral infection found in tropical and subtropical areas of
South America and Africa.
Its name is derived from the yellowing
of the skin and eyes due to the virus
attacking the liver and causing jaundice.
Symptoms of severe infection are high
fever, chills, headache, muscle aches,
vomiting, and backache. After a brief
recovery period, the infection can lead
to shock, bleeding, and kidney and liver
failure. In about 3% of cases, yellow
fever infection may be life-threatening.
To this day there is no cure for Yellow
Fever, so vaccination and personal protective
measures remain the most important methods
of prevention when travelling to Yellow
Fever risk zones.
Method of Transmission
Yellow fever is transmitted through a
bite from an infected mosquito—namely
the Aedes and the Haemogogus species—which
can be found in the jungle as well
as urban areas. This virus cannot be
transmitted from human to human.
Yellow Fever Certificate of Immunization
Yellow Fever is one of the only vaccines
that some countries require by law.
Failure to present a valid certificate
of immunization upon arrival may result
in refusal of entry into the country.
There are several countries that require
a certificate of immunization if you
are arriving from a Yellow Fever risk
zone (even if you were just passing
through). If in doubt, consult the
embassy responsible for visa issuance.
Yellow Fever certificates are valid
beginning 10 days after immunization
or immediately after a booster dose and
remain valid for up to 10 years.
All Medisys Travel Health Clinics across
Canada are certified Yellow Fever Vaccination
Centres as designated by Health Canada.
If you have a medical condition that
precludes vaccination with Yellow Fever
vaccine (given that it is a live attenuated
vaccine), you may obtain a medical waiver
that indicates your condition thus justifying
non-vaccination.
Who Should NOT Receive the Vaccine?
Some individuals
should not receive the Yellow Fever
vaccine: consult a Medisys yellow fever
specialist to assess your medical condition(s).
Incubation Period
Symptoms typically emerge 3 to 6 days after infection.
Most cases only cause a mild infection
where symptoms include fever, chills,
headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite,
abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration.
Most people recover from this stage and
the symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 days.
However, 15% of people who contract
this disease will develop more severe
symptoms with or without a short 24-
to 48-hour remission. Between 20% and
50% of people who enter the second phase
of the infection will die within 7 to
10 days. Those who survive this disease
will usually recover within a few months
without any organ damage.
Survival of Yellow Fever infection results
in life-long immunity.
Diagnosis
Yellow Fever can only be diagnosed by
a blood test six to ten days after
the illness, as early signs and symptoms
are similar to other tropical diseases.
Treatment
There is no treatment for Yellow Fever.
Vaccination
The most effective form of protection
against Yellow fever is vaccination.
YF-VAX, a vaccination produced by Sanofi
Pasteur provides immunity to 95% of
those vaccinated within 10 days.
Vaccine Schedule
- Only one dose of YF-VAX is required
to achieve immunity.
- The vaccine must be administered
at least 10 days prior to departure
- A booster dose is required every
10 years
Other Preventive Measures
Given the fact that Yellow Fever is only
spread through infected mosquitoes,
the use of other precautions are also
recommended in risk areas.
These basic precautions will help to
further mitigate your risk:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long
pants
- use permethrin* insecticide on
your clothing
- Apply a mosquito repellent with 25–30%
DEET on any exposed skin
- When indoors, stay in screened-off
areas
- Consider using a bed net impregnated
with permethrin*
*(not available in Canada)
Duration of Immunity
Immunity against Yellow Fever should
last for up to 10 years. There is
discussion that Yellow Fever vaccination
may protect beyond 10 years—this is
currently under investigation.
Montreal
Yellow Fever Clinic
500 Sherbrooke Street West, 11th Floor
Montreal, Quebec H3A 3C6
Appointments: 514-499-2772
Quebec
City Yellow Fever Clinic
3175, chemin des Quatre-Bourgeois, Suite
380
Québec, Québec G1W 2K7
Appointments: 418 681-0167
Toronto
Yellow Fever Clinics
123 Edward Street, Suite 505
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1E2
Appointments: 416-730-5700
95 St. Clair Avenue West, 12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1N6
Appointments: 416-926-2698
Guelph
Yellow Fever Clinic
83 Dawson Road, Suite 101
Guelph, Ontario N1H 1B1
Appointments: 519-840-0106
Ottawa
Yellow Fever Clinic
1545 Carling Ave, Suite 210
Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8P9
Appointments: 613-521-8313
Calgary
Yellow Fever Clinic
321 6th Ave SW - Suite 960
Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H3
Appointments: 403-232-6244
Vancouver
Yellow Fever Clinic
1090 West Pender, 11th Floor
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2N7
Appointments: 604-681-2400
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