Pregnancy and yellow fever vaccine: what to know

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne infection found in some parts of the world. The vaccine is a live vaccine, so it is not treated as a routine choice during pregnancy. However, the risk of exposure may vary with the destination, season, activities, and local transmission. Avoid making a decision from a general travel checklist alone. A clinician needs to balance the risk of infection against the reason for travel and your medical history.

Tell your maternity clinician or travel-health professional that you are pregnant, how far along the pregnancy is, where you will travel, and when you plan to leave. Arrange advice well before departure so alternatives, documentation, and mosquito-bite prevention can be discussed. Wear clothing that covers skin, use a pregnancy-appropriate insect repellent as advised, and stay in accommodation with effective screens or air conditioning. Do not arrange the Yellow Fever Vaccination independently after discovering you are pregnant.

Seek pre-travel medical advice if yellow fever is present at your destination, if entry requirements affect your itinerary, or if you cannot avoid mosquito exposure. After travel, seek prompt care for fever, severe headache, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, unusual bleeding, or marked weakness, and explain your travel history and pregnancy. Urgent assessment is needed if you feel seriously unwell, have confusion, breathing difficulty, or cannot keep fluids down.

What is my actual yellow fever exposure risk? Is vaccination advised for this itinerary? What travel certificate or waiver might be needed? Which repellents and other vaccines are suitable during pregnancy?