Yellow fever is caused by a virus that is found in Africa and South America.
The virus belongs to a group of viruses called flaviviruses. Other flaviviruses cause disease in people, including dengue, West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis, and Japanese encephalitis.
It is primarily spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus is maintained in the environment between mosquitoes and non-human primates, like monkeys.
People can become infected with the virus when mosquitoes feed on infected primates (e.g., other people or monkeys) and then bite them.
Disease Prevention
Learn about steps that can be taken to help prevent mosquito and tick bites and ways to maximize protection against vector-borne illnesses.
Health care providers interested in providing immunizations for yellow fever virus must complete the registration packet.
Transmission
Yellow fever virus is transmitted to humans through a bite of infected Ae. aegypti mosquito. This mosquito is found in Florida and also serves as the vector for dengue and chikungunya.
While the yellow fever virus is not is not circulating in North America, the risk of introduction is possible due to international travel.
Symptoms
After becoming infected, the incubation period of yellow fever is usually 3-6 days.
Illness ranges in severity from a self-limited febrile illness to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. 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. Liver failure causes jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Severe infections can be fatal.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment, only supportive care and treatment of symptoms. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen) should be avoided because these may increase the risk for bleeding.
Prevention
Yellow fever is a rare cause of illness in U.S. travelers to endemic countries.
Vaccination is the most important preventive measure against yellow fever. The vaccine confers sustained immunity and life-long protection against yellow fever disease without the need for a booster. The vaccine provides effective immunity within 30 days for 99% of persons vaccinated.
Information for Travelers
Travelers should be vaccinated for yellow fever before visiting areas where it occurs. International regulations require proof of vaccination for travel to and from certain countries.
Information for Health Care Providers
How to Become a Florida Yellow Fever IMMUNIZATION Provider
Eligibility
The following professionals may apply for authorization to administer yellow fever immunizations in Florida:
- Florida‑licensed physicians (MD or DO)
- Florida‑licensed pharmacists certified to administer immunizations
Steps to Obtain Authorization
1. Confirm Eligibility
Ensure you meet the professional licensure requirements listed above.
2. Create a Sanofi Account
Before submitting your application to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), you must establish an account with the vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi. For assistance, call 1‑800‑VACCINE (1‑800‑822‑2463) or visit the Sanofi Yellow Fever Vaccine Information page. Yellow Fever Vaccine Information – Sanofi U.S.
3. Submit the Yellow Fever Registration Packet
Email a complete registration packet to ImmunizationsYellowFever@FLHealth.gov. The packet must include:
- Yellow Fever Acknowledgement of Requirements
- Yellow Fever Certified Stamp Holder Application
- Certificates of completion for the CDC course Yellow Fever Vaccine: Information for Health Care Professionals Advising Travelers, completed within the last three years, for both the provider applicant and the designated center coordinator.
Once received, FDOH will review your packet and issue approval or denial. If additional information is needed, FDOH will contact you. Approved applicants will receive a Yellow Fever Immunization Certification Package.
After Approval
Approved providers are responsible for purchasing:
- The official provider uniform stamp
- International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) cards
- Yellow fever vaccine
The uniform stamp authorizes the provider to validate ICVP documents for travelers. FDOH will notify Sanofi Pasteur of your approval and update the Yellow Fever Vaccine Clinic Registry.
For questions, contact the FDOH Immunization Section at ImmunizationsYellowFever@FLHealth.gov or call 850‑245‑4342.
Address or Status Changes
Providers must notify the FDOH Immunization Section within 30 days of any changes affecting yellow fever services, including:
- Stamp holder address or demographic changes
- Discontinuation of stamp holder services
- Lost or stolen official stamp
Updates/changes must be submitted through an updated Yellow Fever Stamp Holder Application. Failure to report changes may prevent vaccine ordering and administration.
If the designated stamp holder is no longer affiliated with the immunization center, the center’s yellow fever designation becomes invalid.
For more information about being a Florida provider, contact ImmunizationsYellowfever@FLHealth.gov or call 850-245-4342.
For more information about the yellow fever vaccine, contact Sanofi Pharmaceuticals or call 800-822-2463.