Nigeria Launches Massive Yellow Fever Vaccination Program

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of Nigeria are launching the EYE Strategy to eliminate yellow fever epidemics globally by 2026.

Beginning in late January 2018, more than 25 million people will be vaccinated in Nigeria.

This vaccination program will begin in Kogi, Kwara and Zamfara states, and then move to Borno state, where internally displaced persons and surrounding host communities are located.

The current yellow fever outbreak in Nigeria began in Ifelodun, Kwara State in western Nigeria in September 2017. By early January 2018, a total of 358 suspected cases had been reported in 16 states, with 45 deaths.  

“The goal of the Yellow Fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign is to reduce yellow fever transmission by achieving 90% coverage in implementing States and Local Government Areas in line with the strategy for the Elimination of Yellow fever Epidemics by 2026,” said Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

“With a single dose of vaccine, an individual is protected for life against yellow fever,” said Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Representative in Nigeria.

Yellow fever transmission in rural West Africa has been seasonal, with an elevated risk during the end of the rainy season, which is usually July–October.

Yellow fever may be transmitted by Ae. aegypti mosquitoes even during the dry season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 15% of people who get yellow fever develop serious illness that can lead to bleeding, shock, organ failure, and sometimes death.

According to the CDC, travelers to certain parts of Africa are at risk for yellow fever.

Once vaccinated, travelers should receive a yellow card called the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) to prove that they have had the yellow fever vaccine.

Some countries require all travelers to show proof of yellow fever vaccination before they can enter the country.

Yellow fever symptoms take 3–6 days to develop and include fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches. The "yellow" in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.

Manufacturing problems at Sanofi Pasteur have resulted in depletion of the YF-VAX vaccine in the United States. YF-VAX is the only FDA approved vaccine. Sanofi Pasteur has worked with the FDA to import another 17D-204 vaccine from France, Stamaril.

The Stamaril vaccine, which is currently available in 70 countries worldwide, has an efficacy profile similar to YF-VAX.

International travelers may find locations that can administer STAMARIL vaccine by visiting this CDC web page.

Providers and patients may also visit the CDC Travelers' Health for information about which countries require yellow fever vaccination for entry.

Vaccine discounts can be found here.