Both victims were in categories of people who should not have received the jab (Picture: Getty Images /iStockphoto)

Two people in the UK have died after receiving a vaccination against yellow fever.

The jab, which is recommended for travellers planning visits to Africa, South America and the Caribbean, can trigger viscerotropic disease (YEL-AVD) in around one in 1,000,000 cases.

Around 60 per cent of cases are fatal, as the illness can cause inflammation of the liver, uncontrollable bleeding and multiple organ failure.

Both victims, who have not been officially named, were in categories of people who should not have received the vaccine.


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One was over the age of 60, and the other had had their thymus glands removed.

Their cases were revealed in a report by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) this week.



The older victim is believed to be leading cancer scientist Professor Martin Gore, 67, who died after having a yellow fever vaccine in January earlier this year.

MHRA could not confirm the identity of the patient but stated that they had died 16 days after receiving their injection.

The other victim, in their 40s, who had had their thymus gland removed, died just eight days after their jab.

Yellow fever is spread by mosquitoes (Picture: Getty Images)

Experts say the vaccination is still a safe protection against yellow fever and recommend it to those planning holidays in areas where the disease is common.

An MHRA spokesperson said ‘Yellow fever is serious and potentially fatal.

‘Protection against the disease is essential for anyone travelling to an area where it is known to exist, and vaccination is the best form of protection.’

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Yellow fever is mostly spread by mosquitoes, with a vaccination the best way to prevent catching the disease.

As well as those over 60 or with a disorder of the thymus gland, the jab is not recommended for babies under nine months, pregnant or breastfeeding women and anyone with a weakened immune system.

The injection uses a live form of the virus, which a healthy body then learns to destroy, making them immune as a result.

But if someone has a weakened immune system or they are simply too young, there is a risk the virus could take hold instead.

The yellow fever vaccine, known as Stamaril, is given in a single injection and usually costs between £60 and £80.

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