Different types of vaccines

We share more information about the different types of vaccines:

BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine
This is a live, freeze-dried vaccine prepared from an attenuated strain of bovine (cattle) TB.

However, in Australia, BCG vaccination is not recommended for general use and is usually only recommended for the following groups:

• Aboriginal neonates in areas of high incidence of TB (such as the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, northern areas of Western Australia and South Australia). 
• Neonates and children five years and under who will be travelling or living in countries or areas with a high prevalence of TB for extended periods.
• Neonates born to parents with leprosy or a family history of leprosy. 

In addition to these recommendations BCG may be considered in:
- Children over five years who will be travelling or living in countries or areas with a high prevalence of TB for extended periods.
- Healthcare workers who may be at high risk of exposure to drug-resistant cases.

DPT and DT vaccine
These are inactivated vaccines, producing immunity to diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), or just diphtheria and tetanus in the DT vaccine.

The pertussis vaccine is available in Australia only in combination with diphtheria, tetanus and other antigens. The pertussis-containing vaccine is recommended in a three-dose primary schedule for infants at two, four and six months old. Because of the high morbidity linked with pertussis in the first few months of life, the first dose can be given as early as six weeks old.

A booster dose of pertussis-containing vaccine is optional at four years of age and is considered essential as weakening of pertussis immunity can occur following receipt of the primary shot.

A second booster shot is also recommended between 10 and 17 years of age, using the reduced antigen content dTpa, and has been shown to maintain immunity to pertussis (and diphtheria and tetanus) into adulthood.

The Hib vaccine
This vaccine protects against serious disease caused by a bacterium called Haemophilus influenzae type B, particularly meningitis. The vaccine contains only the coat proteins of the bacterium, and is safe and effective.

Polio vaccine
There are two vaccines that protect against poliomyelitis:

- The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), known as the Salk vaccine, which is given by injection.
- The live attenuated vaccine (OPV), which is administered orally. This is also called the Sabin vaccine.

In Australia, polio vaccination is recommended as part of routine childhood immunisation and is provided at no cost. It is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded for children under the Immunise Australia Program.

To receive polio immunisation, visit your local doctor or immunisation provider. It is important to note that the vaccine is provided at no cost. However, a consultation fee may apply.

Doses of vaccine are given at two, four and six months old with a booster dose at four years. Immunisation against polio is achieved using single-disease or combination vaccines.

In Australia, the peak incidence of poliomyelitis was 39,1/100,000 in 1938 with epidemics in 1956 and 1961–62. The most recent laboratory-confirmed case of wild poliomyelitis in Australia occurred in 2007 in an overseas-born student who acquired the disease during a visit to Pakistan.

The inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) is now used for all doses of polio vaccine in Australia.

Hepatitis B vaccine
In Australia it’s believed more than 200,000 people are chronically infected with hepatitis B, according to Hepatitis Australia.

Hepatitis B can cause a serious disease of the liver, for which there is no cure, and may lead to death or chronic liver problems persisting into adult life. The vaccine contains only the coat protein (surface antigen), which covers the surface of the virus. It is prepared from the plasma of human carriers or produced by recombinant DNA technology in yeasts. Both types have been shown to be equally safe and effective.

In Australia, vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended as part of routine childhood immunisation and as such it’s listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule and funded for children under the Immunise Australia Program.

The first dose is given at birth, followed by another three doses at two, four and six months old. Immunisation against hepatitis B is achieved using either single-disease or combination vaccines.

Measles vaccine
Measles causes an acute febrile illness with a rash that can be life threatening in young children. The vaccine consists of a weakened strain of the measles virus. Since July 2013, the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine for children aged 18 months has been included in the National Immunisation Program and has replaced the separate measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine previously administered to four year olds, and the chickenpox vaccine previously given to 18-month-old children.

According to the Immunise Australia Program, this newer vaccine therefore reduces the total number of injections for children by one, and will provide earlier two-dose protection for children against measles, mumps and rubella.

According to the new schedule, vaccinations now occur at the following ages:

• 12 months: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• 18 months: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV)
• 4 years: though children will still require a vaccine to protect against other serious infections including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and polio.

References:
- The BCG vaccine: information and recommendations for use in Australia. https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdi3001e.htm
- Hepatitis Australia. http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/about-hep-b/
- The Australian Immunisation Handbook: Pertussis (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/handbook10-4-12), Polio (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/handbook10-4-14), Hepatitis B (http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/immunise-hepb), Measles (http://immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/immunise-MMRV-Vaccine)