International vaccination centre now open at Vijayawada Government General Hospital

Amaravati: As per the directions of the Central government, an international vaccination centre will start at Government General Hospital, SMC campus in Vijayawada from 24 December. In a release issued by the commissioner of health and family welfare, J. Nivas, the centre will initially start with yellow fever vaccines and will gradually implement all vaccines of international concern.

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). The "yellow" in the name refers to jaundice that affects some patients. Up to 50% of severely affected persons without treatment will die from yellow fever. The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America, with a combined population of over 900 million people.

Yellow fever is not present in India, but travelers coming from central African and south American countries are dangerous carriers of the disease to India and Andhra Pradesh, too, so the need of vaccination is essential to travelers going to those countries from the state. "17D vaccine is a live attenuated virus vaccine, a single dose is sufficient for lifelong immunity," said Mr. Nivas.

Who should not get the yellow fever vaccine?

• Anyone with allergy to eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin, who had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine (Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies).
  
• Those who are pregnant or could be pregnant now or in the next two weeks.
  
• Children younger than nine months of age (as per existing norms of the government of India).
  
• HIV/AIDS patients.
  
• Those whose immune system is weakened as a result of cancer or other medical conditions, a transplant, or radiation or drug treatment (such as steroids or cortisone, cancer chemotherapy, or other drugs that affect immune cell function).
  
• Persons who have an acute/moderate illness (with or without fever) should postpone receiving this vaccine until they are well.
  
• Patients with thymus disorder, such as myasthenia gravis, DiGeorge syndrome, or thymoma or Thymus removed.
  
• Those who have major liver or kidney disease.
  

Procedure to get the vaccine

• After you email your passport to yfvcsmcggh@gmail.com, you will receive an appointment on your mobile number/email/WhatsApp. The centre will give a slot on Tuesdays between 10 a.m and 4 p.m.
• Keeping in view students and those on immediate trips, the vaccination centre is planning to take up tatkal schemes to vaccinate on all working days with a condition of vaccination of a minimum two persons subject to multiples of two persons.

People can send requests through WhatsApp at 8978633599.