Kamla Devi Kamla Devi Asked 5 months ago

Why is yellow fever vaccine not recommended for over 60?

My son is planning a trip to Africa, and he mentioned getting a yellow fever vaccine. I'm over 60, so I was wondering, why is the yellow fever vaccine not recommended for people my age?

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5 answers

Mohan Singh Mohan Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago
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I had a friend who got vaccinated later in life and faced some serious side effects, so I'm very cautious about this. My doctor told me older people generally have a weaker immune system, making them more vulnerable to the vaccine's live virus. It's always best to have a thorough discussion with your doctor before deciding, especially if you're over 60 and planning travel.

Geeta Rao Geeta Rao Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Don't just believe everything you read online about vaccines, especially for specific age groups. The recommendation against it for over 60s is due to a higher risk of serious adverse reactions, which is a known medical fact. Always consult with a travel medicine specialist or your family doctor to get accurate, personalized advice.

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Consult a internal medicine specialist

Anil Kumar Anil Kumar Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Generally, for people above 60, the yellow fever vaccine is given with caution or not at all, because their immune systems might not handle the live attenuated virus as well as younger people. This can lead to more severe reactions. If travel is unavoidable, doctors might assess individual health conditions and risk. Always best to discuss your travel plans with your GP.

Lalita Sharma Lalita Sharma Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

My doctor also advised me to be very careful with vaccines because of my diabetes. For older people, especially if they have chronic conditions like diabetes or heart issues, the risks from the yellow fever vaccine can be higher. It's important to weigh the risks against the benefits with your doctor, considering your overall health.

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Shantanu Deshmukh Shantanu Deshmukh Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Ho na, it's mainly because older people, particularly above 60, have a slightly higher chance of experiencing serious side effects from the vaccine. Their immune system is not as strong, so the live virus in the vaccine can sometimes cause more issues. So, doctors usually recommend it only if travel is absolutely necessary and after a full check-up.

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