title: Immunising the HIV-infected child: a view from sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: The HIV-infected children are prone to multitude of infections. In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS is certainly an important acquired immunodeficiency and is more likely to negatively impact on immunisation programmes than other forms of immunodeficiencies. Although HIV infection is generally not a contra-indication for immunisation, high background HIV prevalence in the region may result in lower rates of vaccine immunogenicity, efficacy and population immunity. Nevertheless, vaccination is still better than natural infection; the risk of vaccination far outweighs the risk of infection with the pathogen. The primary focus of this review is to discuss the lessons learned in vaccinating HIV-infected children particularly with key live-attenuated vaccines in Africa such as Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), measles, oral polio vaccine (OPV), yellow fever and rotavirus. Immunisation against influenza virus, a common cause of respiratory illness, is also discussed as multiple guidelines recommend influenza vaccination for number of groups at high risk such as patients infected with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Medunsa Campus, University of Limpopo/NHLS Dr George Mukhari Tertiary Laboratory, Pretoria, South Africa. jeffmphahlele@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M Jeffrey
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mphahlele
authors.forename: Siyazi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mda
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014765:Viral Vaccines