Vaccination in the Immunocompromised Patient
This comprehensive, evidence-based course will give you the confidence to safely vaccinate immunocompromised individuals. Click ‘Take this Course’ to get access and strengthen your clinical expertise today.
About
Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, offering crucial protection against preventable infectious diseases. For immunocompromised individuals, whose immune systems are weakened due to underlying conditions or medical treatments, the importance of vaccination becomes even more pronounced.
The aim of this program is to provide a comprehensive overview of vaccination in the context of immunocompromised states, exploring both the science and clinical application of immunisation and to provide guidance for healthcare professions treating and managing this high-risk group of individuals.
We will begin by reviewing the importance of vaccination, particularly in reducing the heightened risk of infection, exacerbation of underlying diseases, treatment, and morbidity and mortality. We will look at the basic mechanisms and types of vaccines and provide guidance and recommendations for vaccination in immunocompromised patients.
Special attention will be given to the timing of vaccinations and the need for booster doses to ensure sustained immunity. We’ll delve into various immunocompromised states—ranging from primary immune deficiencies to conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and treatments like chemotherapy and cellular therapy—to understand how these factors influence vaccination approaches.
Through this module, you will gain familiarity with current national guidelines and recommendations from authorities such as the TGA, ATAGI, NIP, and AIH, focusing on appropriate vaccine selection and scheduling for immunocompromised individuals. We’ll also address how vaccine efficacy may differ in this group, alongside contraindications related to specific vaccines, including live attenuated formulations.
Lastly, we’ll explore safety considerations, potential side effects, and the importance of post-vaccination monitoring.
By the end of this module, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed, evidence-based vaccination decisions for immunocompromised patients, to optimise protection for the patients and minimise risk caused by infectious diseases outlined in this program.
Learning Objectives
- Review the importance of vaccination: increased risk of infection, exacerbation of the underlying disease, required intensive treatment, hospitalisation and death
- Review the basic mechanisms and types of vaccines
- Review the importance of vaccination timing and the need for boosters
- Understand Immunocompromised states including common conditions and treatments, e.g., primary immune deficiencies, chemotherapy, post cellular therapy, and chronic medical conditions such as solid tumour cancers, diabetes and HIV/AIDS
- Vaccination recommendations: identify which vaccines are recommended for immunocompromised patients (TGA, ATAGI, NIP, AIH) and the appropriate timing for vaccination
- Assessing vaccine efficacy: explain how the immune response to vaccines may differ in immunocompromised individuals compared to the general population
- Contraindications: highlight common contraindications and for specific vaccines in immunocompromised individuals, including inactivated and live attenuated vaccines
- Safety and monitoring: discuss safety considerations and potential side effects of vaccinations in this population, as well as the importance of monitoring after vaccination
- Review patient cases and put the learnings into practice
Faculty Reviewers
Professor Paul Griffin
An Infectious Diseases Physician and Clinical Microbiologist, Professor Paul Griffin was appointed as the Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services in 2013, and most recently, to his conjoint role as Head of the Mater Clinical Unit for the University of Queensland School of Medicine.
Paul is an accomplished clinical trial investigator, having fulfilled the role of Principal Investigator in over 150 clinical trials, particularly in Infectious Diseases including 8 COVID-19 vaccines.
Despite an already demanding role at the Mater, Paul continues as a member of the AMA Queensland Council 2023-2024, and as board member and scientific advisory board member of the Immunisation Coalition, with active interest in vaccine education and advocacy, becoming a trusted media authority and spokesperson across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Angela Newbound
An Immunisation Education Consultant based in South Australia and a member of the Immunisation Coalition.
Angela has been involved in immunisation program delivery in South Australia for over 24 years, originally as an immunisation provider, and then in program coordinator roles within the Divisions of General Practice, SA Health Immunisation Section, the Medicare Local Network and the Primary Health Network until December 2024 in which she provided clinical advice, support and education to a wide range of immunisation providers.
Rebecca James
Rebecca is a clinical nurse in Cancer Outpatients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and has worked across cancer wards, radiotherapy, cancer day centre and clinics over the last 12 years.
Rebecca graduated from the University of South Australia in 2011 and then completed a Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing with University of Tasmania and a Certificate in Palliative Care from the University of South Australia.
Rebecca works with a small team of highly skilled cancer nurses assisting in the management of cancer side effects, supportive therapies, chemotherapy and post stem cell transplant vaccinations.
She has an interest in the vaccination process to help a unique group of patients access their vaccinations in a timely and safe manner, either in the community or at the RAH.
Price: $199