A review of the efficacy of human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia.
BACKGROUND
Q fever remains an important occupational zoonosis in rural Australia. Although Q fever vaccine is recommended in high-risk occupational groups, its availability has been limited in recent years.


METHODS
A literature review of the efficacy of the human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia was conducted.


RESULTS
Seven relevant vaccine efficacy studies were identified but no large double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies have been conducted. Vaccine efficacy has ranged from 83-100% but limitations of study designs hamper a precise estimate of vaccine efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the shortcomings of efficacy studies, the Q fever vaccine available in Australia has considerable protective benefit in established high-risk environments, particularly of an occupational nature.
Chiu
Clayton K
CK
NSW Public Health Officer Training Program, NSW Department of Health, Australia.
Durrheim
David N
DN
D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003381:Coxiella / Q000276:immunology*; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D016272:Occupational Health; D011778:Q Fever / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012424:Rural Population; D015047:Zoonoses
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines