Shortage of yellow fever vaccine in North America
As of August 25, 2020 there is no shortage of yellow fever vaccine in Ottawa. The following does not apply at this time.
There is currently a shortage of yellow vaccine in North America. Not all clinics are being supplied with this vaccine and the rest are getting much reduced allotments. In order to accommodate as many travellers as possible, our clinic is giving "fractional" doses of the vaccine.
This is a smaller dose which protects for one year. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) states that this is an acceptable alternative to the full dose during a period of shortage. The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel, an advisory committee to the PHAC, has published a paper on the subject which can be seen at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/16vol42/dr-rm42-8/ar-02-eng.php
Once a vial of yellow fever is reconstituted, it must be used within a short period of time. Therefore our clinic sets aside time once a week to administer the fractional doses, currently Friday evenings.
This means that most of our clients will have to book a second visit if they need this vaccine. We regret the inconvenience of this. The charge per traveller for a fractional dose is $75 with no second visit charge. However when a family or group is seen and at least three members need the vaccine, we will mix a vial at the time of the initial visit.
Yellow fever vaccine is the one immunization which is required for entry into certain countries. We normally give the official yellow fever certificate to travellers we have immunized. However the World Health Organization has decreed that this certificate cannot be used when a fractional dose is given. This is problematic since it is the traveller's definitive proof of vaccination. We are therefore using an alternate certificate which indicates that a fractional dose has been received. We explain this further at the time of your visit and will answer any questions you may have.
There are a number of airport medical clinics where full-dose yellow fever vaccine is often available. These include Amsterdam Schiphol, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Frankfurt International, Munich Franz Joseph Strauss, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Mexico City Juarez International. There is lack of availability at Middle East and South American airports. Calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended.
Source for airport information: Travax.
It is important to keep in mind that yellow fever vaccine takes ten days to become effective for first-time vaccinees and this is noted in the international certificate that is provided. Proper screening must always be done by the provider to ensure that it is safe to administer the vaccine.
There is currently a shortage of yellow vaccine in North America. Not all clinics are being supplied with this vaccine and the rest are getting much reduced allotments. In order to accommodate as many travellers as possible, our clinic is giving "fractional" doses of the vaccine.
This is a smaller dose which protects for one year. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) states that this is an acceptable alternative to the full dose during a period of shortage. The Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel, an advisory committee to the PHAC, has published a paper on the subject which can be seen at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/16vol42/dr-rm42-8/ar-02-eng.php
Once a vial of yellow fever is reconstituted, it must be used within a short period of time. Therefore our clinic sets aside time once a week to administer the fractional doses, currently Friday evenings.
This means that most of our clients will have to book a second visit if they need this vaccine. We regret the inconvenience of this. The charge per traveller for a fractional dose is $75 with no second visit charge. However when a family or group is seen and at least three members need the vaccine, we will mix a vial at the time of the initial visit.
Yellow fever vaccine is the one immunization which is required for entry into certain countries. We normally give the official yellow fever certificate to travellers we have immunized. However the World Health Organization has decreed that this certificate cannot be used when a fractional dose is given. This is problematic since it is the traveller's definitive proof of vaccination. We are therefore using an alternate certificate which indicates that a fractional dose has been received. We explain this further at the time of your visit and will answer any questions you may have.
There are a number of airport medical clinics where full-dose yellow fever vaccine is often available. These include Amsterdam Schiphol, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Frankfurt International, Munich Franz Joseph Strauss, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Mexico City Juarez International. There is lack of availability at Middle East and South American airports. Calling ahead to confirm availability is recommended.
Source for airport information: Travax.
It is important to keep in mind that yellow fever vaccine takes ten days to become effective for first-time vaccinees and this is noted in the international certificate that is provided. Proper screening must always be done by the provider to ensure that it is safe to administer the vaccine.