Australia's national Q fever vaccination program

Vaccine. 2009 Mar 23;27(14):2037-41. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.02.007. Epub 2009 Feb 12.

Abstract

A nationally funded Q fever vaccination program was introduced in Australia in 2002. The evaluation of this unique program included measures of program uptake, safety, and notification and hospitalisation rates for Q fever pre- and post-program implementation. Program uptake ranged from close to 100% amongst abattoir workers to 43% in farmers. The most commonly reported adverse event was injection site reaction. Q fever notification rates declined by over 50% between 2002 and 2006, particularly in young adult males, consistent with the profile of the abattoir workforce. Hospitalisation data showed similar trends. Available evidence suggests a significant impact of Australia's Q fever vaccination program; such a program merits consideration in other countries with a comparable Q fever disease burden.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Bacterial Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Bacterial Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coxiella burnetii / immunology*
  • Exanthema / etiology
  • Female
  • Government Programs / economics
  • Government Programs / trends*
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / trends*
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Injections
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Q Fever / diagnosis
  • Q Fever / epidemiology*
  • Q Fever / prevention & control*
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • Bacterial Vaccines