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See also BASIC
STUDENT VACCINES, Health Care
Student Vaccinations, Screening,
and Animal Care Vaccination.
PRECAUTIONS
Refer to prescribing information before vaccination, particularly
to contra-indications and
warnings, and for further details you should see the University Health
Service, or your local doctor.
- Tell us if you
- are pregnant or may become so
- are allergic to anything
- have an immune problem (eg you take steroids or cancer drugs,
have leukaemia or HIV/AIDS)
- have had any serious illnesses or operations.
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BASIC STUDENT
VACCINES |
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TYPHOID VACCINES
- Typhoid fever is spread by contaminated food and water. It is a serious
illness causing high fever, headache, abdominal pain & constipation or
diarrhoea.
There are two types of vaccine:
- Typhoid Oral Vaccine : 3 tablets taken over 5 days, one
month before leaving. It lasts 3 years and is inactivated if you are taking
antibiotics.
Typhoid injection : one injection, lasts 3 years.
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HEPATITIS A
- Hepatitis A is caused by a virus which affects the liver. It is
spread by contaminated food and water and from person to person.
Hepatitis A Vaccine : a single injection gives
protection for 1 year. A booster at 6-12 months gives protection for at least
10 years.
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COMBINED HEPATITIS A AND HEPATITIS B VACCINE
- NOTE: A COMBINED HEPATITIS A AND HEPATITIS B
VACCINE
IS AVAILABLE
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MENINGITIS VACCINE
- Meningitis is an infection of the membrane covering the brain. It
causes high fever, headache, stiff neck, & drowsiness, and may be
rapidly fatal. The vaccine protects against epidemics which occur in sub-Saharan
Africa, northern India, Nepal. It is required for pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. A
booster every 3 years is suggested. This is not the vaccine for use against
meningitis in Australia.
- Australia students using group residential accommodation in
Australia or overseas should receive the Meningitis C vaccine
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YELLOW FEVER
- Yellow Fever is a virus spread by mosquitoes. It occurs in parts of
Africa and South America. This is the only vaccine which is required for
entry to Australia from an infected country. The vaccine lasts 10 years.
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RABIES VACCINE
- Rabies is a virus which affects the nervous system. It is spread by a bite
or scratch from an infected animal, usually a dog or a monkey (or by
inhalation in a bat inhabited cave). It occurs in most of the world but is
most common in India, South America, Thailand, the Philippines & Africa.
Vaccination is recommended if you will be working in rural areas or with
animals, or going for an extended period away from medical help (eg trekking).
There are 3 doses of vaccine given over 1 month.
It is also possible to be vaccinated after exposure (an immediate dose of
immune globulin and 5 doses of vaccine over 1 month).
Even if you have been vaccinated, you still need to have
boosters if you are bitten.
Whether you have been vaccinated or not,
thoroughly washing and disinfecting the wound is very important.
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JAPANESE B ENCEPHALITIS VACCINE
- This is a virus spread by mosquitoes and can affect the brain in a
small proportion of cases. The vaccine is currently unavailable in
Australia.
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MISCELLANEOUS VACCINATIONS
- Cholera vaccine is no longer recommended because it doesn't work
very well. Officially no country requires a certificate for entry. If you are
worried about border crossings demanding a certificate, discuss it with us.
- Influenza vaccine is recommended for anyone over 65 or with a
significant medical condition (especially heart or lung disease).
- Plague, Typhus, Tuberculosis, Q fever and a few others are specialised vaccines
mainly needed by those working overseas.
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