The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition 2013

Use of serological testing to guide catch-up vaccination
In some instances, serological testing for immunity from prior vaccination and/
or infection may be useful to guide the need for catch-up vaccination, such
as for measles, hepatitis B and rubella. However, it is important to note that
serological testing is not reliable for vaccine-induced immunity in all instances
and is specifically not recommended to be used to guide the need for catch-up
vaccination for certain diseases/vaccines (e.g. pertussis, pneumococcal disease
and meningococcal disease). In most circumstances, and for most vaccines, it
is more practical to offer vaccination, rather than serological testing. See also
recommendations regarding serological testing before and after vaccination in
various disease chapters (4.4 Hepatitis A, 4.5 Hepatitis B, 4.9 Measles, 4.11 Mumps,
4.18 Rubella, 4.22 Varicella, 4.24 Zoster).
Interpretation of the results of serological testing may be enhanced by discussion
with the laboratory that performed the test, ensuring that relevant clinical
information is provided.
Determining when a vaccine dose is valid according to age and interval
since last dose
A ‘valid’ vaccine dose is a dose that is considered immunogenic (and safe) given
the age and health status of the recipient and the interval since the recipient’s
last dose of the same vaccine. For children who are vaccinated at an age younger
than that routinely recommended, or for children and adults in whom the
interval between vaccine doses is shorter than the usual recommended interval,
information regarding both the minimum acceptable age for the 1st dose of
an infant vaccine (Table 2.1.5) and the minimum acceptable intervals between
vaccine doses (Tables 2.1.7 to 2.1.12) can be used to determine whether additional
vaccine doses and/or catch-up vaccination is required. For more details see the
following sections.
Planning catch-up vaccination
This and the following two sections are dedicated to planning catch-up
vaccination. In the following two sections information is presented by age
of the vaccine recipient (children aged