Due to production delays by the manufacturer, University Medical Center’s Travel Health Services Clinic is currently out of the U.S.-licensed yellow fever vaccine FY-VAX.
Depletion of the vaccine is being felt across the nation, and UMC may not receive a shipment until possibly July, said Dr. Tom Weida, chief medical officer and associate dean for clinical affairs at UA’s College of Community Health Sciences.
For those planning to travel abroad during UA’s spring break or the summer, particularly to certain areas of Africa and South America, there is another yellow fever vaccine available: Stamaril.
Stamaril is a live vaccine. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stamaril is not licensed in the United States, but is registered and distributed in more than 70 countries and is comparable in safety and efficacy to FY-VAX.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made Stamaril available, but distribution is limited. In Alabama, Stamaril is only available at the Jefferson County Department of Health, located at 1400 Sixth Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama. The vaccine is provided by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those in need of an appointment can call (205) 930-1034 or (205) 930-1014. A list of the department’s vaccines and fees can be found at jcdh.org. Weida said those who need the yellow fever vaccine need to allow enough time to make an appointment and get the vaccine before traveling.
UMC will continue to provide updates as information is received about FY-VAX and when the vaccine will again be available at the Travel Health Services Clinic.
For more information, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/news-announcements/yellow-fever-vaccine-access.