AMH Summary: Chapter 20 – Vaccines 1

AMH SUMMARY
CHAPTER 20: VACCINES

A. VACCINES IN SCHEDULE

OVERVIEW
• Schedule usually begins at birth

Hepatitis B vaccine
• For children, begin at birth, then 3 doses at 2, 4 and 6/12 months of age

Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis

• 2 doses given. Start at 6 months at age then another at 4 years of age
• Adult formulation should be given at 15-17 years and then another at 50 years

H. influenzae B
• Doses occur at 6 months, 12 months for children. For the Hiberix brand, 4 doses are
required while Liquid Pedavax requires 3
• Vaccine should not be given before 6 weeks and not required after 5 years of age

Pneumoccal 7-valent vaccine

• Given at 2, 4, 6 months of age
• It can be given at 12 months if medically at risk

Polio vaccine
• Given at 2, 4, 6 months of age
• Also given at 4 years
• Booster doses not recommended unless individuals are at special risk

Rotavirus
• Given at 2 and 4 months
• Given at 6 months if it is the Rotateq brand

Measles, mumps, rubella

• Given at 12 months, 4 years (or at 18 months)
• Fever may develop when taking vaccine

Meningococcal C
• Given at 12 months

Varicella zoster vaccine

• Given at 18 months and may be given at 10-13 years

HPV vaccine
• Given to girls at 12-13 years
• Protects against HPV type 16 and 18, also types 6 and 11

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AMH Summary: Chapter 20 – Vaccines 2

OTHER ISSUES WITH VACCINATION

• Catch up schedule should be done if missed schedule dose.
• Written evidence of vaccination is important
• For immunosuppressed agents, do not use live attenuated vaccines
• High risk occupations such as health professional staff and students should be vaccinated
against infections including Hepatits A, B, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, varicella and
tuberculosis
• High risk occupations should also be up to date with diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles,
mumps and rubella vaccinations

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF VACCINES

• Serious uncommon effects should be notified
• Common types of adverse effects include pain in injection site, swelling, transient fever

STORAGE
• Vaccines should be kept refrigerated in a cold chain system of transport and storing within
a safe temperature range.
• Freezing damages vaccines

B. OTHER VACCINES (NOT IN SCHEDULE)

BCG vaccine (tuberculosis)

• Generally not recommended as tuberculosis incidence is low in the general population

Cholera vaccine
• Used for travellers in high risk areas
• Avoid food and drink 1 hour before and after taking the vaccine

Japanese encephalitis vaccine

• Use for people in outer Torres Strait Islands or workers who work there for 30 days in
wet season
• Preventative measures should be adopted such as insect repellents as mosquitoes are
carriers of the disease

Rabies, Typhoid, Yellow fever vaccines

• Used for those people exposed to high risk areas of the disease

Q fever
• High risk groups include abattoir workers or individuals with high exposure to animals
such as cattle and sheep

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AMH Summary: Chapter 20 – Vaccines 3

Reference

Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd; 2009

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