Immunisation is of vital importance in preventing a number of very nasty and frequently fatal illnesses. Because many immunisation programs have been extremely successful, many of the diseases have become very rare - so rare that many people now know little of them - diseases such as diphtheria, smallpox and polio - these diseases were much more common and killed many more people than infections such as HIV and hepatitis about which we hear so much. Smallpox - the scourge of much of the world for centuries, has been completely eradicated by immunisation.

It is imperative that we do not become complacent about immunisation, as these diseases could rapidly re-emerge if the number of people with immunity from vaccination should decline.
[immunisation schedule - children]
[immunisation schedule - adult]
[st
agnes immunisation] [hepatitis A]
{hepatitis
B]
[influenza vaccine]
[pneumococcal
vaccine]-[ incl Prevenar]
[MMR vaccine] [chickenpox]
[meningococcal vaccine]
[polio] [
Hib ]
[Triple Antigen IPV - tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough,
polio]
[ Gardasil - HPV, genital warts] [Rotavirus]
NEW AUSTRALIAN IMMUNISATION SCHEDULE
A new immunisation schedule
applying to children born after 1st May 2000 was introduced several years ago. The
main change was the introduction of hepatitis B vaccination for infants.
From November 1st 2005, this schedule has been further modified. The most recent
changes include the inclusion of polio with the diphtheria, tetanus and
pertussis injection, universal pneumococcal vaccination and chickenpox
vaccination at 18 months. Hepatitis A is also provided for all indigenous
children.
The schedules are
detailed below.
Click on the heading to go direct to your schedule.
Children born AFTER 1st MAY 2000
Children born BEFORE 1st MAY 2000
Adults
New Vaccines
St Agnes provides a full immunisation service, a doctor appointment is necessary on each occasion.
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Schedule for children born BEFORE 1st MAY 2000 is :
4 Years (prior to school entry)
Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
Polio
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
10 to 13 Years (Year 8)
Hepatitis B - repeated after 1 and 6 months
15 to 19 Years (prior to leaving school)
Diphtheria and Tetanus
Polio
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Schedule for children born AFTER 1st MAY 2000 is :
Children
At Birth (less than 7 days)
Hepatitis B
2 Months
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis,Hib,
Hepatitis B and
Polio (Infanrix Hexa)
Pneumococcal (Prevenar)
Rotavirus (Rotateq) - those
born from 1/5/2007
4 Months
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis,Hib,
Hepatitis B and
Polio (Infanrix Hexa)
Pneumococcal (Prevenar)
Rotavirus (Rotateq) - those
born from 1/5/2007
6 Months
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis,Hib,
Hepatitis B and
Polio (Infanrix Hexa)
Pneumococcal (Prevenar)
Rotavirus (Rotateq) -
those born from 1/5/2007
12 Months
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (Priorix)
HiB (Hiberix)
Meningococcal C (Neisvac C )
18 Months
Chickenpox
(varicella) (Varilix or Varivax)
Indigenous Australians
Hepatitis A (VAQTA)
2 Years
Indigenous Australians
Hepatitis A (VAQTA)
Pneumococcal (Pneumovax 23)
4 Years (prior to school entry)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and
Polio (Infanrix/IPV)
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (Priorix)
Year 8 students
Hepatitis B
(2 doses) (H-B
Vax II)
Human Papilloma Virus (genital
warts) (3 doses) (Gardasil) boys
(from 1/2/13) and girls
Chickenpox
(varicella) (Varilix or Varivax) - if
not previously vaccinated or had chicken pox
Year 9 students
Diphtheria, Tetanus and
Pertussis (Boostrix)
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At 50 Years
Diphtheria and Tetanus
Post Partum ( for non immune women )
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Over 15 Years ( Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders)
Pneumococcal (repeated every 5 years)
Influenza (repeated every year)
Over 65 Years
Pneumococcal (now
single dose for most people)
Influenza (repeated every year)
Indigenous Australians
Pneumococcal (Pneumovax 23) at ages 50 and
65 years
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ST AGNES SURGERY'S IMMUNISATION RATE
In 1998 the Commonwealth began reporting on the immunisation rates for children up to age 6 years achieved by individual general practices - this was part of the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
All children attending the practice are included in the reporting - even visitors attending the practice only once.
ST AGNES and TEA TREE SURGERY have achieved a marked improvement in the immunisation rates of our patients with these new systems now available.
OUR OVERALL IMMUNISATION RATE :
LATEST (February 2013 ) 97.3%
AGE RANGE (months) |
% IMMUNISED |
4 to 12 months |
97.8 |
12 to 18 months |
91.4 |
18 to 48 months |
98.2 |
48 to 84 months |
97.6 |
over 84 months |
100 |
OVERALL |
97.3 |
North East Division rate |
91.2 |

(as of February 2013) ( to top of page )
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HEPATITIS A
Vaccine
Hepatitis A ('infectious hepatitis') is an easily transmitted viral infection spread by poor hygiene. It is particularly common in countries and areas with poor sanitation.
While many infections have few symptoms, the most common form of illness is acute hepatitis, or ‘yellow jaundice’. Patients feel off colour, have no appetite, pass brown urine and develop yellow skin and eyes. Most people recover fully, but occasionally the acute infection is very severe and can be fatal. The incubation period is 2 to 4 weeks. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no chronic carrier state.
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for :
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people travelling to countries with poor sanitation e.g. S E Asia or China | |
|
staff working in childcare or preschool care | |
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ATSI children in northern Australia and people working in rural or remote indigenous communities | |
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the intellectually disabled and their carers | |
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sewerage workers | |
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injecting drug users and men who have sex with men | |
|
people with any form of chronic liver disease | |
|
people with haemophilia |
Neither hepatitis A nor B are live vaccines.
Click
here to download the hepatitis A sheet
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HEPATITIS B Vaccine
Hepatitis B
is a serious infection which is transmitted by contact with infected blood or
body fluids.
Infection
may result in acute hepatitis with jaundice, but more often results in the
development of a chronic carrier state which may have no associated symptoms
(and for which there is no treatment).
Carriers
pass on the infection for many years and are at a high risk of developing
chronic active hepatitis and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B
is most commonly transmitted by sharing injection equipment, needle-stick
injury, sexually or from a carrier mother passing it on to her child at birth or
while breast feeding.
Since 2000,
hepatitis B has been part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule, with
doses given at birth, 2, 4 and 6 months.
Older
children and adults can be immunised – 3 injections are required, with
injections 1 and 6 months after the first dose. Subsequent ‘boosters’ are
not normally required.
People at
high risk of infection (e.g. health care workers and those with reduced
immunity) can have a blood test after vaccination to ensure that the course has
been effective.
Hepatitis B
is also available in combination with hepatitis A vaccine.
The following people are strongly advised to be immunised :
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health care workers, dentists,
embalmers, tattooists and body piercers | |
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police, members of the armed forces and emergency service personnel | |
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injecting drug users | |
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those with chronic liver disease or hepatitis C | |
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inmates and staff in correctional facilities | |
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long-term visitors to areas with high incidence e.g. S E Asia and China | |
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recipients of blood products e.g. haemophilia | |
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residents and staff in facilities for the intellectually disabled | |
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individuals adopting children from areas of high incidence | |
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staff in child care centres and schools | |
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those involved in contact sports |
Hepatitis B
is not a live vaccine.
Adverse reactions are infrequent – most often feeling ‘off colour’ and soreness at
the site of injection. Fever is uncommon.
The vaccine
should NOT be given if there has been a serious reaction to
previous hepatitis b vaccine, or if there is a severe allergy to yeast.
Hepatitis B
vaccine can be given during pregnancy.
There is no
benefit, or harm, in vaccinating hepatitis B carriers.
Click
here to download the hepatitis B information sheet
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CHICKEN POX ( Varicella ) VACCINE
Chickenpox is a very common infection caused by the varicella zoster virus. Spread by sneezing or coughing, once a person is infected, it takes 14 to 21 days for the illness to develop.
Although normally a fairly harmless infection, chickenpox can be more serious and cause
serious complications at times. The most common serious complications are pneumonia and
encephalitis ( inflammation of the brain ). Severe cases and serious complications are
more likely to occur in teenagers and adults.
CHICKEN POX VACCINES prevent chickenpox in most cases.
The vaccine can be given to children 13 months of age and over.
Children up to 12 years require a single injection only.
Those 13 years of age and over require two injections - 4 to 8 weeks apart.
Chicken Pox vaccine is provided free for children born on or after 1st May 2004 and is given at 18 months.
Reactions to the vaccine are usually mild - around 15 % of people develop a fever, usually 14 to 21 days later, and around 20 % get some redness around the injection site - usually in the first 2 days. Occasionally one or two chickenpox blisters may appear - mostly near the injection site.
Aspirin should NOT be taken to treat any fever which develops ( paracetamol or Nurofen are safe) - (aspirin should never be used for the treatment of fever as it may be associated with a fatal complication - Reye's Syndrome).
Chicken pox vaccines are live vaccines and should NOT BE GIVEN where :
| There is an allergy to previous chicken pox vaccine | |
| There is an allergy to NEOMYCIN ( an antibiotic ) | |
| During pregnancy or while breastfeeding | |
| If pregnancy is planned within 3 months. | |
| In the presence of a high fever | |
| Where there is a possibility of reduced immunity - on cortisone medication, being treated for cancer, on transplantation medication | |
| When taking aspirin | |
| If a family member has reduced immunity - being treated for cancer etc |
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The 2013 influenza vaccine is available from early March. This year the vaccine is made up of A California ('Swine /H1N1'), A Victoria and B Wisconsin strains - the Victoria and Wisconsin strains are new to this years vaccine.
Influenza vaccination is
recommended for ALL people 65 years and older, all aboriginal people 15 years and older,
as well as those at increased risk from respiratory infections, including people with :
- heart disease
- respiratory disease ( asthma, emphysema etc.)
- renal or metabolic disease ( diabetes, kidney failure etc.)
- impaired immunity ( malignancy, chemotherapy, HIV etc.)
- and other chronic illness
- all pregnant women
- children between 6 months and 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
The vaccine is FREE to all of the above people.
Carers and service providers to at risk people should also consider immunisation against influenza.
Flu vaccinations can be given to children over 6 months of age.
Approximately 10 % of people receiving influenza injections will experience a local reaction, usually redness and swelling, and around 1 in a million Guillane-Barre Syndrome ( an inflammation of nerves causing a degree of paralysis).
Influenza Vaccine Sheet can be opened and printed by clicking here : download
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PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE
Pneumococcal infection is the most common cause of pneumonia in Australia. The
infection can also cause meningitis and blood poisoning.
People with chronic illness and the elderly are at most risk. Vaccination is an
important measure available to prevent pneumococcal infection.
A SINGLE injection of Pneumovax is required with a booster after 5 years only for those at risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. (recommendation as of 2012)
The NHMRC recommends Pneumococcal vaccination for :
| all people aged 65 years and over (free vaccine) | |
| *indigenous people 50 years and over ( free vaccine) | |
| residents in hostels, nursing homes and other residential facilities | |
| *people with severe asthma, or respiratory illnesses | |
| adults and children over 2 years of age with a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, blood or kidney disorders | |
| people with alcohol related illness | |
| *those who have had their spleen removed | |
| *people with immunosuppression or blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia, myeloma or lymphoma, and those on more than 2 mg prednisolone per day. | |
| *those who have had organ transplants, CSF leak or shunt or cochlear implant | |
| *those with HIV infection ( but not established AIDS) | |
| *tobacco smokers ( * denotes those requiring a second dose 5 years after the first ) |
Pneumovax vaccine SHOULD NOT be given where the person :
| is allergic to eggs, feathers, or neomycin | |
| is allergic to previous Pneumovax vaccine | |
| has a fever over 38.5 degrees C |
COMPLICATIONS are rare :
| up to 10% of people may feel a bit off colour and have local redness and soreness at the injection site |
Pneumovax Vaccine is NOT a live virus you cannot get infection from the injection.
Serious side effects are very rare
Pneumovax is free for everyone 65 and over, indigenous people 50 and over, indigenous people 10 and over with specific illnesses and children with specific illnesses at 4-5 years.
A printout of the Pneumococcal fact sheet can be obtained by clicking : Download
PNEUMOCOCCAL
IMMUNISATION in CHILDREN
( Prevenar )
As well as pneumonia, children, particularly those at high
risk, may also develop meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Pneumococcal vaccines are effective in reducing these serious forms of the
disease, but less effective in preventing the more common middle ear infections.
Prevenar, the vaccine used in small
children, is slightly different to Pneumovax which is used in older
children and adults. Neither are live vaccines.
For children born before 1/1/2002 FREE vaccine is ONLY available to the ‘at risk’ group of children,
but parents can purchase the vaccine for other children.
Free Pneumococcal vaccine will be provided FREE for ALL children born after
1/1/2003. Those born after 1/1/2005 will have three injections - at 2, 4 and 6
months.
A CATCHUP program will be provided during
2005 for children born between 1/1/2003 and 1/1/2005 - the number of injections
depending on the child's age at the time of their first injection (injections
must be at least 2 months apart)
1 to 6
months 3 doses
7 to 17
months 2 doses
18 to 24
months 1
dose
( boosters given as per the 'at risk'
group )
At risk groups:
-ATSI children under 2 years
-children living in Central Australia under 2 years
-ATSI children living in Central Australia, or with similar risk, under 5 years
-children with the following medical risk factors under 5 years
-congenital immune deficiency
-on immunosuppressive therapy,
including high dose steroids
-reduced spleen function incl. absent
spleen or sickle cell anaemia
-HIV or AIDS
-renal failure or persisting
nephrotic syndrome
-Down’s Syndrome
-heart disease with heart failure or
cyanosis
-all premature infants with lung
disease
-all premature infants born at less
than 28 week
-cystic fibrosis
-type 1 diabetes
-CSF leak, intracranial shunt or
cochlear implant
The vaccine is normally given at 2, 4 and 6 months, with no booster.
ATSI children should have a Pneumovax booster between 18 and 24 months.
Medical ‘at risk’ children should have a Prevenar
booster at 12 months and a Pneumovax
booster at 4 years.
There is a higher rate of inflammation at the site of
injection with Prevenar than with triple antigen and the injection should
be given in a different limb to the other vaccines administered at that visit.
The only contra-indication to vaccination with Prevenar
is a previous allergic reaction to the vaccine.
Children prone to high fevers or febrile convulsions should
have a dose of paracetamol prior to vaccination.
Click
here
for download Pneumococcal Vaccine in Children.
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Measles, mumps and rubella frequently cause serious illness and even death, or, in the case of rubella, serious complications if contracted during pregnancy.
All people aged 18 to 30 years as at 1st July 2001 are strongly advised to have a booster MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination. The vaccine is provided free by the government.
Reactions to the vaccine are uncommon, although 1 in 10 people will develop discomfort at the site of the injection and may feel off colour.
1% of people develop a slight rash or joint pains.
Rarely, ( 1 in 1,000,000) mild, self limiting encephalitis ( inflammation of the brain) may develop.
The following people should NOT be vaccinated :
1 Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant within 2
months.
2 People with untreated malignancy or reduced immunity (including
AIDS).
3 People on very high dose steroids.
4 Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to neomycin or gelatin.
5 Those with an inter-current febrile illness.
6 Within 1 month of another live vaccine (except oral polio).
7 Within 3 months of a blood transfusion or immunoglobulin
injection.
Allergy to eggs is NOT a contraindication.
There is no evidence of any link between autism and inflammatory bowel disease and MMR vaccination.
This MMR Fact Sheet may be downloaded by clicking : Download
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Meningococcal infection, while uncommon,
can cause serious, often fatal infection - meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Children under 4 years of age and teenagers, 15 to 20 years, are at most risk of serious
infection. The meningococcal infection has a rapid onset of high fever, marked
un-wellness
with shock, severe headache and a mottled rash (like bruising) - death within 24 hours of
onset is not uncommon.
There are 2 strains of meningococcus - type B and C. Type C is associated with most
serious infections.
Meningococcal vaccine gives protection against the C strain of meningococcus, but not the B strain.
Children over 6 weeks of age can be vaccinated.
From January 2003 Meningococcal vaccine will be provided free for children
between 1 and 5 years of age at our surgery.
(Children turning 1 on or after 1st January 2003 will have the
vaccine as part of the '12 month' injections.
Children over 1 year and not turning 5 until after 1st January 2003 can receive
free vaccine through their general practice - including our Tuesday afternoon
immunisation clinic.
Children turning 5 on or before 1st January 2003 - up to and including children
aged 14 will receive vaccine in a free school based program to be delivered in
2004-5.
Those aged 15 to turning 19 after 1st January 2003 will receive free vaccine via
their GP, school or other special program.)
Dosage :
- children under 1 year of age require 3 injections, at at least monthly (preferably
2 monthly) intervals. It is recommended that meningococcal vaccine not be given at the time of the
routine 2, 4 and 6 monthly vaccinations.
- those 1 year and over ( including adults ) only require a single injection.
Meningitec should NOT be given :
- if there has been an allergic reaction to previous Meningitec injection
- if there is an allergy to diphtheria vaccine, latex or aluminium salts
- in the presence of a fever over 38.5 degrees
- during or immediately prior to pregnancy or while breastfeeding
- in the presence of impaired immunity - cancer, immune suppressant medication etc
- the elderly
The vaccine is not a live vaccine - it cannot cause meningitis or other infection.
Reactions are usually of a minor nature - irritability, fever up to 39 degrees and redness at the site of vaccination. More serious side effects are very rare.
Approximate cost : $70 per injection - if not eligible for the free program.
A detailed information sheet about meningococcal disease and the vaccine can be opened and printed by clicking here.
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POLIOMYELITIS ( ‘Infantile Paralysis’)
Until recently vaccination was by live polio virus - this has now been replaced for childhood immunisation with an inactive vaccine which is incorporated within the triple antigen vaccine and does not have the potential issues associated with the live virus - Triple Antigen IPV.
OLD VACCINE
Unlike most vaccines, oral polio vaccine (OPV) is a live
vaccine. The usual course is given as 2 drops of OPV medicine at 2,4 and 6
months with a booster at 4 years.
Very rarely (there have been 2 cases in Australia in the past 13 years) the
vaccine can cause a form of paralytic polio in the person receiving it –
vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP).
The following people should NOT be vaccinated with oral polio vaccine
- Fever greater than 38.5 (delay immunisation)
- Severe reaction to a previous dose of polio
- Severe allergy to neomycin, polymyxin or streptomycin
- In the presence of vomiting or diarrhoea (delay immunisation)
- In individuals or where there are house-hold contacts :
- **taking high dose steroids or on
immunosuppressive medication or whole body radiotherapy
- **With a malignancy of their immune
system (lymphoma, leukaemia or Hodgkins Disease)
- **HIV infection
- **During pregnancy
Click here to download polio page.
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DIPHTHERIA,
TETANUS, WHOOPING COUGH (pertussis)
Diphtheria
caused more deaths in Australia than any other infection in the early 1900’s.
It is a highly contagious bacterial infection typically affecting the throat and
tonsils with the formation of a thick grey membrane over those areas. Death is
either due to asphyxiation by the membrane or from the effects of a toxin
produced by the bacteria which affects the heart and nervous system. Now
uncommon here, countries where immunisation levels have fallen have seen the
re-emergence of this deadly disease.
Tetanus is a
bacteria which lives in soil and contaminates wounds, where it produces a
powerful toxin, The toxin attacks the nervous system causing increasing muscle
spasm and rigidity. The muscles of the jaw are usually first affected, hence the
name ‘lock jaw’. Even with modern treatment, 10 % of those infected will
die.
Whooping Cough (pertussis) is one of the most contagious bacterial infections known. Beginning with a runny nose and sore throat, it progresses to a severe spasmodic cough which persists for around 3 months. Coughing episodes are often followed by a typical ‘whoop’ sound and vomiting. Life threatening complications are pneumonia, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and brain haemorrhage from the severe coughing. Children under 6 months of age are at the greatest risk of fatal complications.
In 1999 an ‘acellular’ form of the pertussis component
of the vaccine was introduced into the Australian immunisation schedule – this
has resulted in a much lower rate of side effects compared with the older forms
of the vaccine.
Triple Antigen IPV immunises against each of these three diseases and polio – it is not a live vaccine.
The primary course of Triple Antigen IPV involves immunisation
at 2, 4 and 6 months and a booster at 4 years of age.
Adverse reactions have been dramatically reduced with the introduction of the new ‘acellular’ vaccine.
|
The most common are low-grade fever, local redness and swelling at the injection site, drowsiness or tiredness, irritability and crying. | |
|
A painless lump, which may be present for a number of weeks, may be felt at the site of injection – this is not significant. | |
|
Occasionally fever may be worse and can be associated with a febrile convulsion. | |
|
|
Triple Antigen IPV does not increase the risk of SIDS
(it is reduced by immunisation) or epilepsy.
The following children SHOULD NOT be immunised with triple antigen (although tetanus and diphtheria alone may usually be given) :
Encephalopathy (but not febrile convulsion) within 7 days of a previous immunisation – in the absence of another cause. | |
|
Immediate severe allergic reaction to a previous triple
antigen. |
Precautions should be taken with a history of :
|
A convulsion after a previous immunisation or a fever over 40.5 degrees. | |
|
Persistent inconsolable screaming or unusual high pitched cry lasting more than 3 hours. | |
|
Hypotonic, hypo-responsive episode (very flat and limp) within 48 hours of vaccination. | |
|
Severe limb swelling and redness after vaccination. |
Children with active or progressive neurological disease
can be vaccinated, but immunisation should be deferred if there
has been a convulsion in the previous 3 weeks.
Click here to download Triple Antigen information.
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HAEMOPHILUS
INFLUENZA B ( Hib )
Haemophilus is a bacterial infection which usually causes
sore throat, middle ear infection or cough. However, in young children, usually
under 5 years, it can cause the serious infections meningitis or epiglottitis
– both of which are fatal without urgent treatment. Indigenous children are at
particular risk.
In 1993 routine Hib immunisation was introduced in
Australia – since then the incidence of serious haemophilus infection has
declined by more than 90 %.
Hib vaccine is not a live vaccine.
Hib is given as part of the standard immunisation schedule
at 2, 4 and 12 months.
Because invasive haemophilus disease is rare after the age of 5, older children and adults do not require vaccination.
People who have, or are to have their spleen removed,
should be given a single dose.
Adverse reactions to the vaccine are unusual – up
to 5 % of children will get redness and swelling at the injection site – this
normally resolves within 24 hours of vaccination.
The only CONTRA-INDICATION to Hib vaccination is a
severe allergic reaction to a previous dose.
As with other vaccines, immunisation should be deferred in the presence of fever over 38.5 degrees.
Click here to download Hib page
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GARDASIL - HPV (genital wart) Vaccine
HPV (genital wart) virus infection has
been shown to be the causative agent for cancer of the cervix. There are at
least 40 strains of the virus, but 2 strains account for about 70 % of cases of
cervical cancer.
Gardasil is a new vaccine which protects against 4 strains of the virus,
but, importantly, it protects against the strains which cause 70 % of the
cancers.
Australia is embarking on a national program which will ultimately immunise all
girls in year 8, through a free school based program.
There was an initial free 'catch up' program to immunise girls and women
13 to 26 years of age in the 2 years commencing 1/7/2007
- this program has now ceased.
3 injections of the vaccine are required, with the 2nd and 3rd doses 2 and 6
months after the first one. The vaccine is not a live virus.
In South Australia the school program commenced
in April 2007 and was
provided to girls in years 8 to 12.
Girls who miss out at school will be able to go to their doctor for
immunisation.
Boys between 9 and 15 years can also be vaccinated.
From 1st February 2013 boys were also included in the free schools program.
The vaccine costs approximately $150 per injection ($450 for the course).
Those in the eligible age group who have already had genital warts or 'HPV
infection' should still be vaccinated - because there are so many strains of the
virus.
Because the virus covers only 70% of the potential cervical cancer causing HPV
infections, women must still have regular Pap smears even though they have
been immunised.
(the vaccine has not been proven effective nor shown to be safe in women
over 26)
Adverse reactions are uncommon and usually minor.
Gardasil should not be given to those with immediate allergy to yeast,
those with PKU, in the presence of a high fever, during pregnancy (although no
adverse outcomes have been reported) or where there has been an allergic
reaction to a previous dose.
Gardasil can be given while breast feeding.
Click here
to download Gardasil page.
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(on
schedule for babies born from 1/5/2007)
Rotavirus
is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and small
children. The illness is usually associated with high fever, severe vomiting and
diarrhoea which frequently lead to dehydration and hospital admission. The
illness can last 6 to 9 days. It is estimated that around half a million
children die worldwide each year as a result of rotavirus infection.
Rotateq
is a live vaccine containing 5 strains of the virus – the vaccine is given
orally, with doses at 2, 4 and 6 months. It is now part of the regular childhood
immunisation schedule.
The vaccine only protects against rotavirus – not against the many other
causes of gastroenteritis.
As the vaccine is live it should not be given to children who have illnesses which affect
their immune system such as cancer, AIDS, blood disorders or who are taking
medication which may weaken the immune system e.g. cortisone or chemotherapy.
Where a child is not gaining weight or growing as expected, has diarrhoea or
vomiting or has a high fever, medical assessment prior to vaccination is
advised.
Reactions
to the vaccine are uncommon – some children developed diarrhoea, vomiting,
fever, runny nose, cough or wheeze and ear infection in the period after
vaccination but the incidence was around the same as children not vaccinated in
the same period.
Suggestions that intussusception ( a serious bowel obstruction) is associated
with the vaccine appear unfounded.
The course of vaccinations must be completed
in the 6 to 32 week period and is not available to older children or adults.
Rotarix is another vaccine against rotavirus but does not form part of the ‘free’ schedule of vaccines in South Australia.