“In June 2001, seven cases of yellow fever vaccine—associated viscerotropic disease (YEL-AVD) (previously called multiple organ system failure) in recipients of 17D-derived yellow fever vaccine (YEL) were reported to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).”
—Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002; 51(44), 989-993.
The incidence of yellow fever in Africa is seasonal.671 Infections occur at the end of the rainy season and beginning of the dry season, July through October.672 The annual incidence of yellow fever in Africa is 1.1 case per 1000 population.673 So if an individual is planning on traveling to Africa, they have a 99.89 percent chance of not being infected with the yellow fever virus. And the chance of not dying from the virus—99.98 percent.
The incidence of yellow fever in South America is even lower than Africa, .1 case per 1,000 population.674 Infections occur during the same season as in Africa (July-October).675 If an individual is planning on traveling to South America, they have a 99.99 percent chance of not being infected with the yellow fever virus and a 99.998 percent chance of not dying from the infection. However, according to the CDC a person has a twenty five percent chance of developing an adverse reaction to the vaccine.676 In fact, the CDC even states “because severe adverse events can follow yellow fever vaccination, physicians should be careful to administer the vaccine…”677
