Yellow fever vaccines are expected to run out by mid-summer in the United States. The viral disease is widespread in South America and is continually making rounds in the U.S.
Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease, usually acquired and transmitted by mosquitoes. It is already an epidemic among tropical countries including Africa and South America, according to the World Health Organization.
The epidemic is causing an alarm as health care professionals fear that yellow fever will be the next Zika. U.S. health officials warn parents and the general public that the vaccines for the disease might run out by mid-summer, as reported by CNN.
The shortage will affect U.S. citizens that will be traveling to other countries by July, as mentioned by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson, Tom Skinner. There are 18 countries that require tourists to be vaccinated before entering their area.
"It's really, really important" to get the vaccine if your doctor recommends it," Skinner said, explaining that 18 countries require vaccination before they'll allow a traveler to enter. "If you are recommended to get it and for some reason are unable to get (it), then you should strongly consider not going."
The yellow fever vaccine shortage is causing an alarm, according to Washington Post. The vaccine's availability continually diminishes as most Americans prepped for summer. CDC is working hand in hand with major drug distributors including Sanofi Pasteur and Food and Drug Administration to address the vaccine scarcity.
An alternative vaccine, Stamaril is already being formulated, which is said to have the same safety and efficiency features of the original vaccine formulation. Sanofi, the company responsible for the production of the drug, is working closely with the U.S. military as the troops are in need of the vaccines as well, Fox 40 reports.
Yellow fever would usually take effect three to six days after the person would contact the disease. Patients are bound to experience headaches, fever, joint pains and jaundice, as explained by Healthline.
