Dr Jay Chelladurai, GP in Central Coast

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Published 04/04/2024
Last updated 27/01/2025
Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Q-Fever Vaccination

Who is this vaccine for:

  • Abattoir workers
  • Vets/ Students
  • Farmers
  • Cat, Dog breeders
  • People who handle cattle

Vaccination Process

Dr Jay Chelladurai offers Q-Fever vaccination at The Surgery, Kincumber. Please ring the surgery on 4369 6777 to get more information and book appointment process. Please do not make online appointment. 2 appointments must be made 7 days apart. 1st a long one (30 mins) and the second a standard appointment (15 mins)

  • Number of Doses: 1
  • Immunity After: 14 days

1st Appointment

  • Need to get information about need for the vaccine
  • Get any information about previous Q-Fever infection or contact
  • Explain process about Q-Fever vaccination
  • Administration of Q-Fever Skin test
  • Referral for blood test. (Blood tests MUST be done on the day of test)
  • Filling of forms to get information into the National Q-fever register

2nd Appointment

  • Checking the blood test results
  • Check for any reaction at the site of administration of the vaccine
  • If the blood test as well as the skin test are negative, then
  • Skin test MUST BE checked on the 7th day
  • Administration of vaccine
  • If the blood test was negative, but the skin test was partially positive, then would need a further skin test

About the vaccine Q-Vax

What is it?

Inactivated Coxiella Burnetti

How is it made?

It is a purified suspension of formalin -inactivated Coxiella burnetti prepared from the Phase 1 Henzerling strain of the organism grown in the yolk sacs of embryonated eggs. Trace amounts ovalbumin (< 1 mcg) may also be present

Who MUST NOT have it?

  • Anyone who has had laboratory confirmed Q-Fever infection
  • Has positive or equivocal antibody when tested by serology
  • Has been previously vaccinated
  • Has anaphylaxis to eggs
  • Is immuno compromised

Side Effects

  • Pain at injection site (48-95%)
  • Redness over injection site (33-58%)
  • Headache (43.9%)
  • Tiredness (42.7%)
  • Joint pain (24.6%)
  • If previously been vaccinated, can have severe injection site reaction as well as post Q-fever like symptoms lasting a few days

Q-Fever - The bug

Caused by a bacteria called Coxiella burnetii. The bacteria infects domestic and wild animals including cats, dogs, cattle, kangaroos and camels through ticks. The ticks excrete the bacteria in their faeces. It can infect humans by inhaling, eating (from handling contaminated objects) as well as through broken skin and mucosa. It can survive at 4oC for more than a month and can survive unto 600C. It can survive in air, soil and dust.

Q-Fever - The disease

People who have contracted Q-fever can have a spectrum of conditions from being totally unaware of the infection to severe flu like illness but can also affect liver (causing jaundice), affect the heart, cause severe pneumonia needing ICU care. Some people can also have long term illness leading to tiredness, weight loss as well as pain.

References

  1. Seqirus, Q-Vax Q-Fever Skin Test (Aust R 100517 & 100518) - Product Information
  2. Department of Health, Commonwealth of Australia Immunisation Handbook - Q-Fever
  3. Australian Meat Processor Corporation - Australian Q-Fever Register
  4. Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology 2005
Updated on 27th January, 2025
This website was conceptualised, created and is maintained by Dr Jayaguhan Chelladurai
All rights reserved © Dec 2023 to Apr 2025
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