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:

*Medicare rebate may not be applicable