Reports from Royal Children's Hospital advance knowledge in cancer vaccines
2007 NOV 19 -- "The aim of this survey was to identify the current practices of paediatric oncologists in Australia and New Zealand regarding the immunisation of children treated for cancer The survey was a nine-part questionnaire of current immunisation practices emailed to all paediatric oncologists practising in Australia (nine centres) and New Zealand (three centres) in June 2006 Overall response rate was 82% (37 of 45 oncologists). Ninety-four per cent of respondents would recommend commencing 'booster' vaccinations at 6 months post completion of chemotherapy, in keeping with the current guidelines," scientists in Parkville, Australia report. "Seventy-four per cent would recommend varicella vaccination. Intensity of the chemotherapy treatment was felt to be important, with 97% recommending re-immunising after a high-intensity regimen and only 48% after a lower-intensity regimen. Sixty-nine per cent stated they would recommend yearly influenza vaccinations for their patients This survey highlights the variability of practice in Australasia; for example, nearly one-third do not recommend yearly influenza vaccination for their patients. The level of chemotherapy intensity was an important factor for paediatric oncologists in determining whether 'booster' vaccinations were recommended," wrote N.W. Crawford and colleagues, Royal Children's Hospital. The researchers concluded: "This is an important cancer survivorship issue and review of the evidence-base and implementation of these guidelines is required." Crawford and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (Immunisation practices of paediatric oncologists: An Australasian survey. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2007;43(9):593-596). For more information, contact N.W. Crawford, Royal Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Dept. of Med Genetics, Immun Adverse Events Surveillance Unit, 5th Floor, AP1 Bldg, Flemington Rd., Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England. Keywords: Australia, Parkville, Cancer Vaccines, Royal Children's Hospital. This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.
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