8.3 Million Sudanese Receiving Yellow Fever Vaccine

The Sudan Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a mass vaccination campaign during March 2019 to vaccinate 8.3 million people against the Yellow Fever virus. 

Sudan is at high risk for the spread of yellow fever due to a combination of climate and ecological factors.

Sudan is located in north-central Africa, with a population of over 39 million people. 

This vaccination campaign in the states of Blue Nile, Gezira and Sennar is the third and final drive that forms a critical part of Sudan’s ongoing work to protect all populations against yellow fever epidemics, in alignment with the WHO’s Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) Strategy. 

Dr. Naeema Al-Gasseer, WHO Representative in Sudan, said in a press release, “While protecting yourself against mosquito bites is important to reduce the risk of many diseases, only vaccination can eliminate the risk of yellow fever outbreaks.” 

Yellow fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by certain types of mosquitoes. The infection can cause illness which ranges from a fever with aches and pains to severe liver disease with bleeding and yellowing skin (jaundice) and it can spread rapidly, locally and internationally, especially in urban areas. 

However, the disease can be prevented by a single dose of a highly effective and safe vaccine. This campaign aims to boost protection in the general population and will target all eligible people. 

And, protection from the yellow fever is important since about 15 percent of people who get this virus develop serious illness, that can sometimes be fatal, says the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

In the United States, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) published a recommendation in 2015 that 1 dose of yellow fever vaccine provides long-lasting protection and is adequate for most travelers.

As of July 2018, the CDC published updated maps indicating which countries require yellow fever vaccination. The vaccination requirement is imposed by Sudan for protection against yellow fever since the principal mosquito vector Aedes aegypti is present in its territory. 

In the USA, the Stamaril vaccine is approved and has a clinical efficacy profile similar to the YF-VAX vaccine, and is available at select locations. 

International travelers can find convenient locations to schedule a vaccination appointment by visiting Vax-Before-Travel.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information. And, vaccine discounts can be found on this webpage.   

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the CDC.