OBJECTIVE To determine the outcome of anthrax immunisation. METHODS Adverse reactions (occurrence, nature, severity and incapacity) and immune responses to a voluntary programme of anthrax immunisation at 0, 3, 6, and 24 weeks were monitored by questionnaire and voluntary blood sampling in 129 members, including 24 immunised 7 years previously (immunes), of a military field hospital alerted f...

Surveillance of adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) is an integral component of any immunisation program; it is as important as surveillance of both immunisation coverage and vaccine preventable diseases. In this article we describe the purpose of AEFI surveillance and the methods used to monitor AEFIs in Australia and NSW. We also summarise NSW AEFI surveillance reports received betw...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Vaccine development is progressing but there is concern that immunisation may exacerbate Helicobacter induced gastritis: prophylactic immunisation followed by challenge with H felis or H pylori can induce a more severe gastritis in mice than seen with infection alone. The aim of this study was to inves...

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine if patients with HIV infection can develop a significant antibody response to influenza immunisation, and whether such immunisation is detrimental to the progression of their HIV illness. DESIGN Prospective, non-randomised study. METHODS The titres of antibody response to influenza immunisation were determined in 44 asymptomatic HIV positive men and c...

Immunisation has proved a highly effective public health policy. However, it has come under public suspicion at times, with large falls in pertussis immunizations in the 1980s and smaller falls in measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine uptake recently. Immunisation scares have also occurred in other countries. This discussion paper explores the concepts of herd immunity, altruism, and informe...

New Zealand has a poor rate of immunisation in comparison to other OECD countries. Immunisation is a major public health issue as it is one of the most cost-effective health interventions. However, high immunisation rates are required to realise the full benefit of immunisation programmes. In this paper we use Systems Thinking to identify principal dynamics that underlie immunisation system and...

In fine-wool Merino ewes, immunisation against a mixture of steroids was compared with androstenedione immunisation alone and with no treatment to evaluate its long term effectiveness in improving reproductive performance by increasing fecundity. Using 2 prototype multi-steroid vaccines in field trials conducted for 4 consecutive years, gains in lambing percentage were consistently obtained, wi...

OBJECTIVE To examine mothers' satisfaction with the process of immunisation and its possible contribution to suboptimal immunisation uptake. DESIGN In depth interviews with mothers. SETTING Two Community Care Areas, Dublin city, Ireland. PARTICIPANTS In depth interviews of 23 mothers of children 1-2 years old, recruited purposively from a birth cohort born in 1994. MAIN RESULTS Mothers ...

Annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) against seasonal influenza is recommended by The Australian Immunisation Handbook to prevent personal morbidity and transmission to patients. There are limited data available concerning the uptake of this vaccination by Australian healthcare workers, and few studies have investigated the determinants of this uptake. This report therefore aims to r...