Access now: expanded version of Australian Immunisation Handbook immunocompromised chapter

A major expansion of the Australian Immunisation Handbook chapter on vaccination for people who are immunocompromised has been published, in a significant enhancement of guidelines relating to a complex area of immunisation practice.

While overall recommendations have remained unchanged, the refreshed chapter now includes more detailed advice on vaccination in people with a wide range of medical conditions and levels of immunocompromise. 

It includes clear definitions of immunocompetence, immunosuppression and immunomodulation as well as levels of immunocompromise – which are categorised as mild, moderate or severe – along with a variety of supplementary materials that offer specific guidance relating to a wide range of immunocompromising conditions.

The chapter covers topics including inborn errors of immunity, secondary immunodeficiencies due to medical conditions or therapies, asplenia, exposure to immunosuppression in utero, immunocompromised close contacts and immunocompromised travellers.

As the Handbook notes, people who are immunocompromised have an increased risk of severe illness or death from many vaccine preventable diseases, and it is important that the individual’s vaccination history – as well as potential contraindications to live vaccines – is assessed carefully.

This chapter will act as the primary reference for tailored guidance on vaccination for people with immunocompromising conditions, in line with specific disease chapters of the Handbook.

The revision of this chapter was led by experts from NCIRS’ Research to Inform Policy team.

Access the immunocompromised Handbook chapter