Who is this vaccine for?

• Abattoir workers
• Vets and Vet students
• Farmers
• Cat and Dog breeders
• People who handle cattle

Vaccination Process

Dr Jay Chelladurai offers Q-Fever vaccination at The Surgery, Kincumber. Do not make an online appointment. Please ring the surgery on 4369 6777 to get more information and book. Two appointments must be made 7 days apart — the first a long one (30 mins) and the second a standard appointment (15 mins).

• Number of Doses: 1
• Immunity After: 14 days

1st Appointment

• Discuss the need for the vaccine and previous Q-Fever infection or contact
• Explain the Q-Fever vaccination process
• Administer Q-Fever skin test
• Referral for blood test (must be done on the day of the skin test)

2nd Appointment (7 days later)

• Checking blood test results
• Check for any reaction at the site of the skin test
• Skin test MUST BE checked on the 7th day
• If both blood test and skin test are negative: vaccine is administered
• If blood test negative but skin test inconclusive: a repeat skin test is required at a follow-up appointment
• If either blood test or skin test is positive: certified as immune (no vaccine needed)

About the Vaccine – Q-Vax

Q-Vax is an inactivated Coxiella Burnetii vaccine. It is a purified suspension of formalin inactivated Coxiella burnetti prepared from the Phase 1 Henzerling strain grown in yolk sacs of embryonated eggs. Trace amounts of ovalbumin (<1 mcg) may also be present.

Who MUST NOT have it?

• Anyone who has had laboratory confirmed Q-Fever infection
• Has positive or equivocal antibody when tested by serology
• Has previously been vaccinated
• Has anaphylaxis to eggs
• Is immunocompromised

Side Effects

• Pain at injection site (48–95%)
• Redness over injection site (33–58%)
• Headache (43.9%)
• Tiredness (42.7%)
• Joint pain (24.6%)
• Previously vaccinated people can have severe injection site reaction and post Q-fever like symptoms lasting a few days

Q-Fever – The Disease

Caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which infects domestic and wild animals including cats, dogs, cattle, kangaroos and camels through ticks. Humans can be infected by inhaling, ingesting (from handling contaminated objects), or through broken skin and mucosa. The bacteria can survive at 4°C for more than a month and up to 60°C.

People who contract Q-fever can experience a spectrum of conditions from total unawareness to severe flu-like illness, and can also affect the liver (jaundice), heart, and cause severe pneumonia requiring ICU care. Some people experience long-term illness including tiredness, weight loss and pain.

References

1. Seqirus, Q-Vax Q-Fever Skin Test – Product Information
2. Department of Health, Commonwealth of Australia Immunisation Handbook – Q-Fever
3. Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology 2005