Vaccination contraindications

Prior to administration of vaccinations of children and adults, patients need be screened for potential contraindications and precautions. Allergies and conditions which predispose individuals to immunocompromise represent a large proportion of these contraindications. To minimize risk from vaccine administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a report which delineates such situations.

Situations that may warrant precautions or contraindications to vaccine administration

• Anaphylactic allergies
  • (e.g., allergies to eggs (influenza))
• Anaphylactic reaction to previous dose of any vaccine
• Anthrax (prior infection)
• Antimicrobial therapy (current)
• Eczema or atopic dermatitis in patient or household contact
• Guillian-Barré Syndrome, history of
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant
• HIV (in recipient)
• Immune globulin (IG) administration, recent
• Illness (moderate to severe acute illness, fever, otitis, diarrhea, vomiting)
• Immunodeficiency:
  • Family history
  • In household contact
  • In recipient
• Neurologic disorder
• Pregnancy:
  • In mother or household contact of recipient
  • In recipient
• Reaction to previous vaccine dose
• Skin condition (acute, chronic or exfoliative)
• Thrombocytopenic purpura

References

The CDC Contraindication and Vaccine Guide [1]

Contraindications by vaccine are also available. [2]

Atkinson WL, et al. General Recommendations on Immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). MMWR Feb 8 2002; 51(RR02):1-36[3]