The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

information and annual influenza vaccine recommendations are available on
the Immunise Australia website (www.imunise.health.gov.au).
While patients with advanced HIV disease and low CD4 + T-lymphocyte
counts may not develop protective antibody titres, there is evidence that
for those with minimal symptoms and high CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts,
protective antibody titres are obtained after influenza vaccination. Influenza
vaccine has been shown to reduce the incidence of influenza in HIVinfected
patients, and, although viral load may increase transiently, there
was no impact on CD4 + count. 63 (See also 3.3 Groups with special vaccination
requirements, Table 3.3.4.)
• Other chronic illnesses requiring regular medical follow-up or hospitalisation
in the preceding year, including:
» diabetes mellitus37,55,65 » chronic renal failure37,55 » alcoholism66,67 » haemoglobinopathies55 » chronic inherited metabolic diseases (which includes amino acid disorders,
carbohydrate disorders, cholesterol biosynthesis disorders, fatty acid
oxidation defects, lactic acidosis, mitochondrial disorders, organic acid
disorders, urea cycle disorders, vitamin/cofactor disorders, porphyrias) 37,55
• Long-term aspirin therapy in children (aged 6 months to 10 years) – Such
children are at increased risk of Reye syndrome after influenza. 68,69
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥15 years
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people ≥15 years of age, in view of their substantially increased
risk of hospitalisation and death from influenza and pneumonia. 70 (See also 3.1
Vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 4.13 Pneumococcal
disease.)
Children aged