Female mosquitoes transmit the yellow fever virus through bites from monkeys to humans (jungle yellow fever) or from person to person (urban yellow fever), mainly during the day up to altitudes of 2,500 meters.

In the jungle, monkeys are the main reservoir, with the virus being transmitted via mosquito bites between monkeys and occasionally to humans, leading to sporadic cases. In urban areas, transmission occurs solely through mosquito bites between humans and can cause larger outbreaks. In humid African savannas, both transmission routes occur, which can lead to local outbreaks.

Inkubationszeit: Die Zeit zwischen der Ansteckung mit Gelbfieber und dem Auftreten der ersten Symptome liegt meist zwischen 3 und 6 Tagen.

It is important to avoid mosquito bites. Exposure prophylaxis (protection against insect bites) with mosquito nets and repellent should be used in endemic areas and is also referred to as passive protection.

The vaccine is administered with weakened viruses from incubated chicken eggs. Traces of egg protein may be present. The vaccine is injected into the muscle or under the skin. It is highly effective (almost 100 percent protection), while the disease can be fatal for unimmunized adults.
Vaccination is recommended for travelers visiting countries with a risk of yellow fever. It is also recommended for domestic travel to yellow fever zones in Africa and South America, even if no cases have been reported.

The vaccination should be administered at least 10 days before entry. According to the WHO, vaccination protection is lifelong, except for children under 2 years of age, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed individuals. However, since 2022, the STIKO (Association of German Institutes of Health) has recommended a one-time booster vaccination in adults in case of exposure. In Germany, vaccination must be administered by specially trained and authorized physicians. We have operated an appropriately approved yellow fever vaccination center in downtown Frankfurt for many years.

The vaccination is generally well tolerated. Occasionally, skin redness, swelling, or flu-like symptoms may occur. Neurological reactions such as meningitis are rare.
People over 60 should only be vaccinated after a thorough risk-benefit assessment, as side effects are reported more frequently and sometimes more severely in this age group. Special recommendations apply to pregnant women, those allergic to egg white, and patients with immune deficiencies, which must be discussed individually.

Anyone entering from a risk area without a yellow fever vaccination cannot enter other countries. A medical exemption from vaccination is possible, but must be certified by government authorities and is not recognized everywhere. The embassy should be contacted in advance.
Eine medizinische Impfbefreiung (Exemption Certificate) kann von einer Gelbfieberimpfstelle ausgestellt werden, jedoch gibt es keine Garantie auf Anerkennung. Wir empfehlen die Bescheinigung direkt beim örtlichen Gesundheitsamt ausstellen zu lassen.