Immunisation practices of paediatric oncologists: an Australasian survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this survey was to identify the current practices of paediatric oncologists in Australia and New Zealand regarding the immunisation of children treated for cancer.


METHODS
The survey was a nine-part questionnaire of current immunisation practices emailed to all paediatric oncologists practising in Australia (nine centres) and New Zealand (three centres) in June 2006.


RESULTS
Overall response rate was 82% (37 of 45 oncologists). Ninety-four per cent of respondents would recommend commencing 'booster' vaccinations at 6 months post completion of chemotherapy, in keeping with the current guidelines. Seventy-four per cent would recommend varicella vaccination. Intensity of the chemotherapy treatment was felt to be important, with 97% recommending re-immunising after a high-intensity regimen and only 48% after a lower-intensity regimen. Sixty-nine per cent stated they would recommend yearly influenza vaccinations for their patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey highlights the variability of practice in Australasia; for example, nearly one-third do not recommend yearly influenza vaccination for their patients. The level of chemotherapy intensity was an important factor for paediatric oncologists in determining whether 'booster' vaccinations were recommended. This is an important cancer survivorship issue and review of the evidence-base and implementation of these guidelines is required.
Crawford
Nigel W
NW
NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Child and Adolescent Immunisation; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. nigel.crawford@rch.org.au
Heath
John A
JA
Buttery
Jim P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009520:New Zealand; D010372:Pediatrics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents