Indications & Dose:

Contraindications:

Most vaccines have some basis contra-indication to their use, and the product literature and immunisation against Infections Disease should beconsulted for details. In general, vaccination should be postponed if the individual is suffering from an acute illness. Minor illnesses without fever or systemic upset are not contraindications. Anaphylaxis with a preceding dose of a vaccine (or vaccine component) is a contra-indication to further doses.

Hypersensitivity to egg contra-indicates influenza vaccine and tick-borne encephalitis vaccine (residual egg protein present) and, if evidence of previous anaphylactic reaction, also yellow fever vaccine. Some viral vaccines contain small quantities of antibacterials; such vaccines may need to be withheld from individuals who are extremely sensitive to the antibacterial. Other excipients in vaccines may also rarely cause allergic reactions. The presence of the following excipients in vaccines and immunological products has been noted under the relevant
entries:

Gelatin                                    Polymyxin B

Gentamicin                              Streptomycin

NeomycinThiomersal

Penicillins

Live vaccines should not be administered routinely to pregnant women because of possible harm to the fetus but where there is a significant risk of exposure (e.g. to poliomyelitis or yellow fever), the need for vaccine outweighs any possible risk to the fetus. Live vaccines should not be given to individuals with impaired immune response, whether caused by disease (for special reference to HIV infection) or treatment with high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

They should not be given to those being treated for malignant conditions with chemotherapy or generalised radiotherapy. The response to vaccines may be reduced and there is risk of generalised infection with live vaccines.

The intramuscular route should not be used in patients with bleeding disorders such as haemophilia or thrombocytopenia.

Vaccines and HIV infection. HIV-positive individuals with or without symptoms can receive the following live
vaccines:

MMR (but not whilst severely immunosuppressed), varicella-zoster (but avoid if immunity significantly impaired-consult product literature); and the following inactivated vaccines; cholera (oral), diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, meningococcal, pertussis, pneumococcal, poliomyelitis, rabies, tetanus, typhoid (injection).

HIV-positive individuals should not receive:

BCG, yellow fever

Note: The above advice differs from that for other immunocompromised patients.

Vaccines and Asplenia: The following vaccines are recommended for asplenic patients or those with splenic dysfunction: haemophilus influenzae type b, meningococcal group C, pneumococcal, influenza.

Cautions:

Precautions:

Interaction:

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: