Pregnancy
Category B2
Use:
Prevention of influenza caused by influenza virus,
types A and B
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to poultry proteins (eggs,
feathers), gentamicin; acute febrile illness
Precautions:
Immunodeficiency; thrombocytopenia (give
subcutaneously); Guillain-Barre syndrome; pregnancy, lactation
Adverse Reactions:
Local reactions; fever, malaise, chills, headache,
myalgia; neurological disturbances
The 2002 vaccine contains the following
strains
A/Sydney
A/New Caledonia
B/Beijing
INDICATIONS
Influenza vaccine should be given routinely on an
annual basis to individuals over 65 years of age. The risk to the elderly is
greatest if they also have chronic cardiac or lung disease, and is increased
for residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults over 50 years of age, because
of the greatly increased risk of premature death from respiratory disease.
Annual vaccination is recommended for individuals
who are in the following groups.
Adults with chronic debilitating diseases
(especially those with chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal and metabolic
disorders).
Children with cyanotic congenital heart diseases.
Adults and children receiving immunosuppressive
therapy.
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care
facilities.
Annual vaccinations should be considered for
individuals who are in the following groups.
Staff who care for immunocompromised patients
(patients with immune deficiency or malignancy, bone marrow transplant
recipients, and liver transplant recipients are at high risk from influenza
infection, but have attenuated immune response to influenza vaccine).
Pneumonia Vaccination
We recommend this in the following
categories
Use:
Immunisation against pneumococcal disease caused
by pneumococcal infection in people > 65 yrs; people > 2 years with
asplenia, sickle cell disease; immunocompromised; Aboriginals, Torres St
Islanders > 50 yrs; chronic illness with increased risk of complications
of pneumococcal disease
Precautions:
Immunocompromised; acute febrile resp illness or
other active infection; severely compromised cardiac or pulmonary function;
antibiotic prophylaxis; pregnancy, lactation, children < 2 years
Adverse Reactions:
Local reactions (esp intradermal admin); rash;
arthralgia, fever; thrombocytopenia (relapse); headache; malaise; asthenia;
lymphadenitis; serum sickness; others, see full PI
Interactions:
Immunosuppressive treatment
Again our computer system picks up where it should
be used and we offer the vaccination as above
All persons greater than or equal to 65 years of
age who have not received vaccine within five years (and were < 65 years
of age at the time of vaccination) should receive another dose of vaccine.
Because data are insufficient concerning the safety
of pneumococcal vaccine when administered three or more times, revaccination
following a second dose is not routinely recommended.