Vaccinations in Special Groups

Question 1

Who does the DoH recommend should have the annual influenza vaccine?

Answer 1

1. Over 65 years
2. Lungs - Chronic respiratory diseases (including asthmatics who use steroids)
3. Cardiovascular - Chronic heart disease (HF, IHD, HTN + cardiac complications)
4. Kidneys- CKD 3-5, Nephrotic syndrome and kidney transplant patients.
5. Liver - chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis.
6. Neurology - chronic neurological diseases. (stroke & TIAs)
7. T2DM
8. Immunsuppressed.
9. Asplenia.
10. Pregnant women.

Question 2

Who does the DoH say should have the Pneumococcal vaccine?

Answer 2

1. Over 65 years
2. Lungs - chronic respiratory disorders.
3. Cardiovascular - chronic heart disease: IHD if requiring medicine or monitoring, HF, Congenital heart disease.
4. Kidneys - CKD 4-5, nephrotic syndrome and kidney transplant.
5. Liver - chronic liver disease like cirrhosis or hepatitis.
6. T2DM that requires medication
7. Immunsuppressed.
8. Cochlear implants.
9. Patients with cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
10. Asplenic/ splenic dysfunction.

Question 3

If someone has had a bone marrow, when can they start having immunisations?

Answer 3

12 months if HLA-identical sibling

18 months if any other type.

Provided that:

• 6 months off immunosuppresive therapy`