Gutted: We were both invited to go to Brazil to... - PMRGCAuk

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Gutted

Nagswoman profile image
21 Replies

We were both invited to go to Brazil to look at, and discuss with their Air Force, what to do with an old aircraft like the one we both work on, voluntarily, here. I cannot go because I would have to have a yellow fever vaccine, which is "live". This would have been the trip of a lifetime. I hope that he will still go without me and take thousands of photos. It is not worth the risk for me. Have any of you had the yellow fever vaccine with no issues?

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Nagswoman profile image
Nagswoman
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21 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

Are you definitely going to an area of Brazil that has yellow fever risk?

Nagswoman profile image
Nagswoman in reply toSnazzyD

Bélem. Apparently needs it. I will confirm tomorrow at the vaccine centre when he goes. They should know.

SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD in reply toNagswoman

Yes, it is in an at risk area. The other option is a medical exemption (one trip only) but that would mean a difficult personal risk assessment because nobody can tell you what that is. You’d have to have flawless insect repellent cover at all times. The option of having it also carries an extra risk (any other risk aside) for the over 60’s having their first one, of devastating neurological or organ damage. The neurological problem carries about 2 in 100,000 doses risk. It didn’t stop many I gave the vaccine to back in the day. No doubt you’ll get info from someone more up to date than me, but safe to say prepare to remain gutted 🙁.

Chia123 profile image
Chia123 in reply toNagswoman

I went to Manaus and the Amazon in November 2024. I went to my surgery to check on the advice. The yellow fever jab was recommended but is not compulsory. You do not have to show any proof of vaccinations to enter the country. I had the yellow fever jab in 1982 and it caused me to feel VERY ill for 24 hours. You can’t have the jab if you are over 70 and on steroids. If you google vaccination requirements for entry into Belem and ask at the vaccine centre as you intend to, you should get confirmation that the yellow fever jab is not compulsory. The only thing you have to consider is the risk of catching yellow fever.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toChia123

And the risk of being refused entry to a transit country on the way home IF there is an outbreak.

piglette profile image
piglette

Have you ever had a yellow fever vaccine? They are now all valid for life.

Nagswoman profile image
Nagswoman in reply topiglette

Never, sadly.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toNagswoman

Oh well.

Carrollee profile image
Carrollee in reply topiglette

Ooh really piglette. I had one when I was 7 as we are going to live in the Yemen (Aden). So is it only modern day ones then that last for life? 🤔

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toCarrollee

I cannot see why, but perhaps they have just realised you don’t need another one or they are trying to save money!! I actually paid for mine if I remember. Well my company did.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toCarrollee

I have just looked it up. It doesn’t say why they changed the vaccine. They probably didn’t!

‘The World Health Organization (WHO) changed the validity of the yellow fever vaccine certificate from 10 years to a lifetime in 2016. This change applies to all certificates, including those issued before 2016.

A booster dose is only recommended for people who were vaccinated in certain circumstances, such as:

While pregnant

Before age 2

With a weakened immune system

With HIV

Before a bone marrow transplant

Some people should not receive the yellow fever vaccine. ‘

Carrollee profile image
Carrollee in reply topiglette

Interesting as I had thought it was only for 10 years but that implies it’s for life. Mind you I don’t have a certificate to prove it. I guess the RAF have it somewhere 🤷🏼‍♀️ thanks for the info tho ☺️

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toCarrollee

Yes - I was wondering that!! I'm pretty sure I had a yellow fever jab way back when I worked at St Barts which served the London Docks and we had some VERY doubtful infectious diseases floating around. So we were jabbed against lord knows what. But I wouldn't have kept a certificate that said it was only valid for 10 years ...

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toCarrollee

It was ten year before 2016.

suzy1959 profile image
suzy1959

I had a yellow fever vaccination to go to Kenya 4.5 years ago with the blessing of my Rheumatologist. I was at the time on 11mgs Pred. No problems with it at all.

herdysheep profile image
herdysheep

I had a chance of a trip to Brazil about 10 years ago and had to back down for the same reason. Much research and I still could not find a reason to justify the risk going. A real shame but hope for the photos daily!!!

Ginntonic profile image
Ginntonic

we both have yellow fever vaccine for sometime now ( before PMR) . I’m on Preds and we are enjoying a cruise to the Caribbean & went to Spain last year. We wouldn’t be allowed on the cruise without it. It can be very restrictive without it. It would be a shame to miss your trip just because of it.

lindtbunnynut profile image
lindtbunnynut

You can get an exemption certificate and they will accept that on entry to any country. My partner has Crohn's and was not allowed the vaccine but has the exemption certificate.

Nagswoman profile image
Nagswoman

Thanks for your exceptionally helpful comments everybody. He got his YF jab today plus a tetanus and one I can't remember as boosters. They told me that I am absolutely not having the YF vaccine. Zika and malaria got a mention. They also warned him about Oropouche. Apparently transmitted by midge and that unusually killed a couple of people last year. No vaccine for that. Now he is worried about going, even though he is armed with plenty of Deet and has been told which bits of him are most vulnerable. I was also told that I can have the Shingrix as it is not live. Our surgery did not know so I said no thanks, when they offered it. Duh!Be careful if any of you go away. Make sure that you are safe.

ackagee profile image
ackagee

Have had Yellow Fever jabs lots of times. First was on leaving school before going to Laos as a Voluntary Service Overseas worker. Two years later, when home in UK, joined the RAF. We were jabbed with everything - including Yellow Fever - as we might be sent anywhere in the world at any time. Never had any issues with any of my Yellow Fever jabs.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toackagee

Never had any issues with any of my Yellow Fever jabs.

No, but you weren’t on immune suppressant drugs then… that’s the issue… not the vaccine itself.

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