Background

Individuals who are immunocompromised have a weakened immune system, resulting in a decreased ability to fight infections. There are many different causes of immunocompromise, including having certain medical conditions (e.g. autoimmune diseases, cancer, anatomical or functional asplenia, HIV), being a transplant recipient or advancing age. There are also certain medications that can suppress the immune system, sometimes known or immunosuppressive therapies (e.g. corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs [DMARDs] or cancer therapies).

The term immunosuppression is often used interchangeably with the term immunocompromise. People with a fully functioning immune system can be referred to as immunocompetent.

Immunosuppression and vaccines

Vaccination is particularly important for those who are immunocompromised, due to the increased risk of developing severe disease (which can lead to hospitalisation, intensive care admission or death) if exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases. In people who are immunocompromised, protection from vaccines can be suboptimal as the body is not as easily able to respond to the vaccine. Therefore, additional doses of vaccines may be recommended. Conversely, some vaccines (live-attenuated vaccines) may be contraindicated due to the potential risk of vaccine-related disease.

Taking a thorough patient history prior to vaccination is recommended to determine an individual’s degree of immunocompromise/immunosuppression and to formulate an individualised vaccination strategy.

Vaccination timing

Vaccination may need to be planned with the treating specialist. In some instances, the timing of immunosuppressive therapies may be altered to maximise the response to vaccines. In other circumstances, the intervals between vaccine doses may be altered to accommodate treatment regimes.

In some instances, vaccines can be given pre-emptively to people who anticipate immunosuppression in the future (e.g. a patient undergoing a planned splenectomy should be immunised prior to surgery).

Recommendations

Live-attenuated vaccines must not be given to immunocompromised individuals without consultation with a treating specialist. The following information outlines specific vaccine recommendations for people who are immunosuppressed.

  • Influenza

    Every year, different strains of influenza circulate in the community. Annual vaccines are updated to protect against the strains anticipated to be circulating. People with immunocompromise may be more vulnerable to influenza and associated secondary infections. As such, annual influenza immunisation is recommended and funded for all people with immunosuppression aged over 6 months.  

    There are precautions relating to influenza vaccines and patients who are receiving treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. Specific information can be found in The Australian Immunisation Handbook.

  • Pneumococcal

    People with immunosuppression  have the highest risk of experiencing invasive pneumococcal disease. They are recommended and funded to receive extra pneumococcal vaccine doses in addition to the doses recommended for immunocompetent people. The timing of vaccination, number of doses required, and type of vaccine (s) depend on the person’s age, and their medical and immunisation history.  

    For more information, refer to MVEC: Pneumococcal

  • Meningococcal

    People receiving certain therapies or with specific medical conditions (particularly those with asplenia) are recommended and funded to receive a primary course of meningococcal B and ACWY vaccines. Depending on the age at which the course is commenced, a primary course for immunocompromised individuals may consist of more doses than a primary course recommended for immunocompetent individuals. Following this, booster doses are recommended for some individuals with specified medical conditions or treatment that increase their risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).

    For more information, refer to the MVEC: Meningococcal

  • Herpes zoster (shingles)

    Zoster presents more commonly (and is more likely to present on repeated occasions) in people with immunocompromise compared to immunocompetent people. 

    Vaccination with a 2-dose course of the vaccine Shingrix is required for adequate protection against zoster. Shingrix is funded on the NIP for people aged over 18 years with history of haemopoietic stem cell transplant, solid organ transplant, blood cancer and advanced or untreated HIV (and for immunocompetent First Nations Australians aged 50 years and over, and other immunocompetent people aged 65 years and over). 

    Other individuals who are immunocompromised or will soon become immunocompromised can privately purchase a course of Shingrix from 18 years of age. Duration of protection may be limited, so consideration should be given to timing administration to mitigate the greatest risk of disease.  

    For more information, refer to the MVEC: Zoster

  • COVID-19

    COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for all immunosuppressed individuals aged 6 months and older due to an increased risk of developing severe disease. A 3-dose primary course is recommended for optimal protection (compared with a 2-dose course for those who are immune competent). Following a primary course, booster doses are also recommended for some individuals. 

    For more information, refer to MVEC: COVID-19

  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

    People with immunocompromise (with the exception of those with asplenia and hyposplenia) are recommended to receive a 3-dose course of HPV vaccination to ensure adequate protection. This is in contrast to the recommended single dose for immunocompetent individuals aged 9 to 25 years (funded for all adolescents in year 7 of high school).

    For more information, refer to MVEC: Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Contraindicated vaccines

Live-attenuated vaccines are contraindicated for most immunocompromised individuals due to the risk of adverse events or vaccine-related disease. In some instances, an alternate inactivated vaccine may be available for use (see table 1).

Table 1: Contraindicated vaccines in immunosuppressed patients and alternative options to consider

WordPress Tables Plugin

^routinely administered on the National Immunisation Program (NIP)
#recommended vaccine for select patient group only
¥available vaccine for those at higher risk of infection (e.g. travel)
N/A no alternate vaccine available

Inadvertent administration of a live-attenuated vaccine

If an immunocompromised individual is inadvertently administered a live-attenuated vaccine, prompt action is required. Medical review by an infectious diseases specialist or immunisation expert must be facilitated and the appropriate management commenced (e.g., anti-viral therapy, monitoring etc.). 

The vaccine recipient must be informed of the incident and have a clear understanding of its implications, including any signs and symptoms to monitor for. The error must also be reported to the relevant authority to ensure appropriate follow up and support can be provided. In Victoria, this service is  SAEFVIC. 

If the error occurs out of hours, seek specialist advice from the individual’s treating specialist or an infectious diseases specialist at your local tertiary hospital. 

Precautions

Mothers who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy and breastfeeding (or those who received immunosuppressive medication during pregnancy) should seek advice from a Specialist Immunisation Clinic around the safety of live-attenuated vaccines for their child (e.g. oral rotavirus vaccine or BCG).

See MVEC: Immunosuppression in pregnancy and infant vaccine recommendations

Household contacts

Household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals should be up to date with all vaccines and are recommended to receive annual influenza vaccination as well as COVID-19 vaccines. 

It is safe for household contacts to receive live-attenuated vaccines (including rotavirus and varicella). Thorough hand hygiene should always be performed when handling soiled nappies of rotavirus vaccine recipients to minimise the risk of vaccine-virus transmission. Any varicella-like blisters that occur on the vaccinee following varicella vaccination should be covered until they crust over. 

Other precautions

For further information related to specific conditions and vaccination, refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook. 

Resources

Authors: Georgina Lewis (Clinical Manager, SAEFVIC, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute), Francesca Machingaifa (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator) and Rachael McGuire (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator)

Reviewed: Sally Gordon (MVEC Senior Research Fellow) and Rachael McGuire (MVEC Education Nurse Coordinator)

Date: December 2023

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information on this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family’s personal health. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult a healthcare professional.