Yellow Fever: Vaccine, Certificate, Symptoms Skip to content

Yellow Fever: Vaccine Before Travel and Symptoms

Yellow fever occurs in Africa and South America, not in Georgia. When you need the vaccine, how many days before a trip to get it, and what to know about the certificate.

What yellow fever is

Yellow fever is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes. It occurs in tropical regions of Africa and South America; it does not occur in Georgia or its neighboring countries, so you cannot catch it here. The question comes up before a trip: many countries require an international certificate of vaccination on entry. The disease is named for the jaundice that develops in some patients.

How yellow fever spreads

The virus is carried by infected Aedes, Haemagogus, and Sabethes mosquitoes, which bite during the day. It does not pass directly from person to person. The risk exists in forests and rural areas and in the cities of tropical countries where mosquitoes are plentiful. WHO estimates between 67,000 and 173,000 severe cases a year worldwide, most of them in Africa.

Symptoms of yellow fever

The incubation period is 3 to 6 days. After that the disease runs in two stages:

  • the acute stage: fever, headache, muscle and back pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness; it usually passes after 3 to 4 days;
  • in some patients (about 15 percent), after a short improvement, a toxic stage follows: fever returns, the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow, and bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and shock can occur.

Many patients have a mild illness, so yellow fever cannot be told apart from malaria, dengue, and other tropical infections by symptoms alone. Any fever during a trip or after returning from the tropics needs a doctor's exam.

Why yellow fever is dangerous

There is no specific medicine: treatment is supportive (rest, fluids, monitoring of the liver and kidneys, help with complications) in a hospital. According to WHO, about half of the patients who reach the toxic stage die. That is why protection relies on vaccination and mosquito control, not on treatment.

The yellow fever vaccine

Vaccination is the only reliable protection. According to WHO, a single dose is enough for life, and no booster is needed. Protection develops in 80 to 100 percent of vaccinated people within 10 days and in more than 99 percent within 30 days. The BigMed directory lists Stamaril (Sanofi) for this vaccine, as a single dose. It is given at least 10 days before travel so that the certificate is valid when you arrive. After vaccination, the international certificate is valid for life. Yellow fever is not part of Georgia's routine immunization calendar: the calendar order (No. 01-60/n, version of July 13, 2023) recommends the vaccine from 9 months of age for people traveling to endemic areas. The state keeps a stock of the vaccine under the immunization program and gives priority to people going abroad for work to countries that require it and to seafarers. Ask a clinic or the NCDC in advance where exactly in Georgia you can get the vaccine and an international certificate: only authorized centers issue that document. Clinic prices for the vaccine in Georgia are shown below on this page.

Who cannot be vaccinated or needs special caution (the doctor always decides): infants under 9 months, pregnant women (except during outbreaks), people with a severe egg allergy, severe immune deficiency, or thymus disorders; caution is also needed for people over 60. If vaccination is not advised, the doctor can issue a medical exemption letter; in that case, discuss the trip itself with your doctor again. So you do not forget other travel vaccines, compare with prevention of typhoid fever and hepatitis A.

How to avoid mosquito bites when traveling

  • wear long-sleeved, light-colored, thick clothing;
  • use repellent on skin and clothes, as directed;
  • choose lodging with window screens and air conditioning, and sleep under a bed net;
  • remember that these mosquitoes bite in the daytime, especially morning and evening.

When to see a doctor

  • 4 to 6 weeks before a trip to Africa or South America, to discuss vaccines and have time for them (at least 10 days before departure);
  • fever, headache, or muscle pain during a trip or within 2 weeks of returning;
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes, bleeding, or severe weakness: go to a hospital right away or call an ambulance (112);
  • feeling unwell or an allergic reaction after vaccination.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get yellow fever in Georgia?
No. It is a disease of tropical regions. You have to visit a country where the virus circulates among mosquitoes.
Do I need the vaccine to enter a country?
Many countries require an international vaccination certificate, especially from travelers coming from risk countries. Each state has its own rules: check with the consulate or the destination country's official site.
How many days until the vaccine counts?
The certificate is considered valid from the 10th day after vaccination, so get the shot ahead of time, not on the day of the flight.
Do I need a repeat dose?
According to WHO, no: a single dose gives lifelong protection.
Which doctor should I see?
An infectious disease specialist or a doctor who advises travelers. You can find doctors who practice in your city further down this page.