Q FEVER VACCINATION
What is Q-Fever?

  • Q Fever is an infectious disease that can cause severe illness in some people. 
  • People usually get Q Fever from farm animals. Other animals may also be infected including wildlife and even dogs and cats. 
  • People who work with or near animals are most at risk of getting Q Fever, and particularly people working at  animal processing plants or working with animals around birthing time.
  • Anyone at risk of exposure to Q Fever should have a test to see if they are protected from the disease. 

Testing and vaccination

  •  Before vaccinations, a blood test and skin test are required to check if you have been previously exposed to q-fever.
  • If there has been previous exposure to q-fever, you are considered immune. Giving q-fever vaccination may result in a severe reaction.
  • Testing requires 2 visits, 7 days apart. Please ensure you can attend the 2nd appointment for the skin test to be read, or the process will have to be restarted.
  • Immunity typically develops only 15 days after vaccination. It is best you do not commence work in a high risk environment until that time.

Please advise if you have any of the following prior to vaccination:

  •  Anaphylaxis to any previous vaccines
  • Anaphylaxis to eggs
  • Immunocompromise

Potential vaccination side effects

  • Tenderness and erythema at injection site
  • Induration or oedema at injection site
  • Flu-like illness
  • Rare side effects – severe injection site reaction eg abscess, post-q fever fatigue syndrome

Cost:

Fees Medicare Rebate*
First visit consultation $110.00 $42.85
Q fever skin test $51.80

Q fever serology (charged by pathology lab)

$60.00 (SNP)

$26.65 out of pocket (QML)

Second visit consultation  $110.00 $42.85
Q fever vaccination $238.92

*Medicare rebate may not be applicable