HEALTHCARE professionals are reminded that live vaccines should not be given to people who are significantly immunocompromised or pregnant, the TGA has said.
This is particularly the case for the herpes zoster vaccine Zostavax, and the Japanese encephalitis vaccine Imojev, as incorrect use continues to be reported.
While not all reports of inadvertent use are associated with an adverse event, this TGA safety alert provides a timely reminder to healthcare professionals considering live vaccinations for patients.
If uncertain about the degree of immunocompromise in a patient, do not give them a live vaccine and seek specialist advice, stressed the TGA.
Detailed information to manage these patients, including tools to assess the severity of immunocompromise, are available from the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
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