2.3 Groups with special vaccination requirements

Please note: due to continuous updates being made to the Immunisation Handbook, the page number on the electronic version will not always match the hard copy version.


Recent or imminent surgery is not a contraindication to vaccinations and recent vaccination is not a contraindication to surgery (see Section 1.3.4, Pre-vaccination screening). There are no randomised controlled trials providing evidence of adverse outcomes with anaesthesia and surgery in recently vaccinated children.

It is possible that the systemic effects from recent vaccination, such as fever and malaise, may cause confusion in the post-operative period. Elective surgery and anaesthesia may be postponed for 1 week after inactive vaccination and for 3 weeks after live attenuated viral vaccination in children, and routine vaccination may be deferred for 1 week after surgery.⁶⁶

A patient who receives any blood products during surgery will need to be informed of the need to delay any vaccinations (see Table 2.3.5 Recommended intervals between either immunoglobulins or blood products and MMR, MMRV or varicella vaccination).

References