Key messages
- Adolescents aged 15 years or over and adults who are at risk of infection with Coxiella burnettii are recommended to receive Q fever vaccine
- People are recommended to have both serological and skin tests before Q fever vaccination
- The Q fever skin test and vaccine are not funded under the National Immunisation Program
- The Australian Q Fever Register stores information on the Q fever immune status of individuals. This site has general information on Q fever, information on the Register, forms and provides a ‘find a vaccinator’ link as well as providing password access to registered users. The Register commenced full national coverage on 1st July 2002.
- TheAustralian Immunisation Handbook contains information about who should be vaccinated, pre-vaccination testing and how people are vaccinated.
Overview
Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. C. burnetii infects wild and domestic animals, and their ticks. Humans are mainly infected from cattle, sheep and goats.
Q fever vaccine is recommended for adolescents aged ≥15 years and adults who are at risk of infection with C. burnetii.
Pre-vaccination testing
People are recommended to have both serological and skin tests before Q fever vaccination.
Vaccination
People who work with cattle, sheep and goats are most at risk of catching Q fever.
Q fever vaccine is recommended for people aged ≥15 years who are at risk of infection with C. burnetii. These include:
- abattoir workers
- farmers
- stockyard workers
- shearers
- animal transporters
- veterinarians
- veterinary nurses
- veterinary students
- professional dog and cat breeders
- agricultural college staff and students
- wildlife and zoo workers who work with high-risk animals
- animal refuge workers
- laboratory workers who handle veterinary specimens or work with C. burnetii
- other people exposed to high-risk animals
For more information, see Recommended vaccines for people at increased risk of certain occupationally acquired vaccine-preventable diseases.
Further information:
Australian Immunisation Handbook – Q fever
The Better Health Channel consumer fact sheet
Reviewed 19 July 2024
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