Immunotherapy Safety for the Primary Care ... - U.S. Coast Guard

Immunotherapy Phases
• Maintenance concentration = therapeutically effective dose
as determined by the Allergist
• Build up phase (vials up to & including maintenance vial)
– Involves receiving injections of increasing amounts of allergen(s)
– Frequency of injections ranges from 1 - 2 times a week, although
more rapid build-up schedules are possible.
– The duration of this phase generally ranges from 3 to 6 months,
depending upon the frequency of the 18-27 injections.
• Maintenance phase (maintenance vial)
– Begins when the effective therapeutic dose is reached.
– Differs for each person, depending on their level of allergen
sensitivity (how 'allergic’ they are to the allergens in their vaccine)
and their response to the build-up phase.
– The intervals between maintenance immunotherapy injections
generally ranges from 2 to 4 weeks (3-4 weeks).
– Administered for 3-5 years.
• AIT schedules ≠ VIT schedules