Q 1. What is Yellow Fever Vaccination?
Ans. Yellow Fever Vaccine is a vaccine used against yellow fever, an acute viral disease having symptoms like fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains particularly in the back, and headaches. As India is not a yellow fever-endemic area, the people here do not require this vaccination. However, if one travels to yellow fever-endemic areas, he needs this vaccination. Therefore, Yellow Fever Vaccination has been made mandatory before issue of VISA for visiting yellow fever-endemic areas.
Q 2. Where in Kolkata one can get a Yellow Fever Vaccine?
Ans. In Kolkata, All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health is one of the main centres to provide Yellow Fever Vaccine through its Microbiology Department located in the Bidhan Nagar Campus of the Institute. The full address of the location is as follows:
Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Bidhan Nagar Campus, 27 & 27 B, J.C. Block, Sector III, Saltlake-700098 ( near Tank No.14)
Q 3. What is the procedure for Yellow Fever Vaccination at AIIH&PH, Kolkata?
Ans. The following steps are to be followed for Yellow Fever Vaccination at AIIH&PH, Kolkata:
(A) Contact the designated officials on telephone for appointment. As the schedule day for the vaccination is Friday, appointment will be given for a Friday. If a Friday is a Holiday, the appointment will be given for Thursday. The designated contact persons are as follows:
1. Dr. Atul Raj – Phone No. 033 2335 3232 ; 033 2335 9858 & 033 2335 9556
WhatsApp. No. +91 9815883206 (No calls Only WhatsApp messages please)
Tele. Exchange: 033 2241 2860 & 033 2241 3831
(B) On the day of appointment, report at 10:00 hrs. with Original Valid Passport and deposit Rs.300/= being the charge for the vaccination.
(C) Receive the Vaccine.
Q 4. Who should not get yellow fever vaccine?
Ans. Following persons should avoid Yellow Fever Vaccine:
(A) Persons with an allergy to eggs, chicken proteins or gelatine,
(B) Persons who had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of Yellow Fever Vaccine (tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies),
(C) Pregnant lady,
(D) Children younger than 09 months of age,
(E) Persons having HIV/AIDS.
(F) Persons having the weak Immune System 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).
(G) Persons who have an acute/moderate/illness (with or without fever),
(H) Persons having a thymus disorder, such as Myasthenia Gravis (DiGeorge syndrome, or thymoma or Thymus removed),
(I) Persons with major liver or kidney disease.
Q 5. Other Advisories, if any?
Ans.(A) Nursing mothers should avoid or postpone travel to an area where there is risk of yellow fever.
(B) Adults 60 years of age and older might be at increased risk for severe problem following vaccination.
Q.6. Whether Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is also given to people visiting Kenya, Ethiopia etc.?
Ans. Yes, Oral polio vaccine (OPV) is also given to people visiting polio endemic countries.
Q.7 What is the time gap required while administering Oral polio vaccine (OPV) and Yellow fever vaccine?
Ans. Both these vaccines are administered on the same day or within 24 hours. If these vaccines are not administered on the same day then individual vaccines can be taken only after a gap of 28 days otherwise vaccine failure can occur.
Q 8. Who is the Nodal Officer at AIIH&PH for the Yellow Fever Vaccination?
Ans. Dr Atul Raj, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Hygiene & Public Health, Kolkata-700106.
Mob. No. +91 9815883206 (WhatsApp messages only)