Immunisation And Prophylaxis

Question 1

In which situations are immunisations currently recommended?

Answer 1

Immunisations used regularly: childhood schedule, special patient groups, occupational needs, travellers

Used for prophylaxis when: travelling, post exposure, post exposure HIV, surgical

Question 2

What are the characteristics of vaccines currently used?

Answer 2

Killed (inactivated) eg hep A, cholera, rabies, influenza
Live attenuated eg MMR, BCG, VZV, polio, rotavirus
Detoxified exotoxins eg diphtheria, tetanus
Subunit of microorganism eg pertussis, hep B, typhoid

Passive immunisation eg human normal immunoglobulin, disease specific immunoglobulin (post exposure)

Question 3

How is disease prevented in the traveller?

Answer 3

Travellers are risk assessed, given general measures for specific areas, possible immunisations eg tetanus, polio, typhoid, hep A, cholera, yellow fever and chemoprophylaxis eg malaria, PEP, HIV PE