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Yellow Fever

Sanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company · FDA-approved active Biologic ✓ Verified May 2026

Yellow Fever is a Live attenuated vaccine Biologic drug developed by Sanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company. It is currently FDA-approved for Prevention of yellow fever in endemic regions and travelers to yellow fever-endemic areas. Also known as: YF VAX®.

The yellow fever vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and cellular immunity against the yellow fever virus through a live attenuated viral strain.

Yellow Fever is a viral disease of typically short duration, characterized by symptoms such as fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains, and headaches. If left untreated, the disease can progress to liver damage, causing yellow skin, in about 15% of people.

At a glance

Generic nameYellow Fever
Also known asYF VAX®
SponsorSanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company
Drug classLive attenuated vaccine
ModalityBiologic
Therapeutic areaImmunology / Infectious Disease
PhaseFDA-approved

Mechanism of action

The vaccine contains a weakened (attenuated) form of the yellow fever virus that replicates in the body without causing disease, triggering both humoral (antibody) and cell-mediated immune responses. This primes the immune system to recognize and rapidly neutralize the wild-type yellow fever virus upon natural exposure, providing long-term protective immunity.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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Frequently asked questions about Yellow Fever

What is Yellow Fever?

Yellow Fever is a Live attenuated vaccine drug developed by Sanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company, indicated for Prevention of yellow fever in endemic regions and travelers to yellow fever-endemic areas.

How does Yellow Fever work?

The yellow fever vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and cellular immunity against the yellow fever virus through a live attenuated viral strain.

What is Yellow Fever used for?

Yellow Fever is indicated for Prevention of yellow fever in endemic regions and travelers to yellow fever-endemic areas.

Who makes Yellow Fever?

Yellow Fever is developed and marketed by Sanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company (see full Sanofi Pasteur, a Sanofi Company pipeline at /company/sanofi).

Is Yellow Fever also known as anything else?

Yellow Fever is also known as YF VAX®.

What drug class is Yellow Fever in?

Yellow Fever belongs to the Live attenuated vaccine class. See all Live attenuated vaccine drugs at /class/live-attenuated-vaccine.

What development phase is Yellow Fever in?

Yellow Fever is FDA-approved (marketed).

What are the side effects of Yellow Fever?

Common side effects of Yellow Fever include Headache, Myalgia, Fever, Injection site reaction (pain, erythema, swelling), Fatigue.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing