A review of the efficacy of human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia.

BACKGROUND Q fever remains an important occupational zoonosis in rural Australia. Although Q fever vaccine is recommended in high-risk occupational groups, its availability has been limited in recent years. METHOD A literature review of the efficacy of the human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia was conducted. RESULTS Seven relevant vaccine efficacy studies were identified but no large double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies have been conducted. Vaccine efficacy has ranged from 83-100% but limitations of study designs hamper a precise estimate of vaccine efficacy. CONCLUSION Despite the shortcomings of efficacy studies, the Q fever vaccine available in Australia has considerable protective benefit in established high-risk environments, particularly of an occupational nature.