Multi-system organ failure following administration of yellow fever vaccine: a case report

Background: Yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease (YEL-AVD), is an extremely rare and life-threatening condition that occurs shortly after administration of the vaccine. It is characterized by multi-system organ failure including hemorrhagic fever, shock, renal failure, and hepatic failure.

Case: A 77-year-old Caucasian male experienced multi-system organ failure within seven days of receiving the yellow fever vaccine. The patient’s signs and symptoms included fever, acute renal failure, hepatitis, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypotension, and respiratory failure.

Conclusions: Since serious adverse events are possible following administration of yellow fever vaccine, physicians should administer the vaccine only to those truly at risk for exposure to the virus.

Author(s): Julie Ehret Leal, Amy N Thompson, Joseph D. Thomas, Walter A. Brzezinski

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