A review of the efficacy of human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia.

BACKGROUND

Q fever remains an important occupational zoonosis in rural Australia. Although Q fever vaccine is recommended in high-risk occupational groups, its availability has been limited in recent years.

METHOD: A literature review of the efficacy of the human Q fever vaccine registered in Australia was conducted.

RESULTS

Seven relevant vaccine efficacy studies were identified but no large double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies have been conducted. Vaccine efficacy has ranged from 83-100% but limitations of study designs hamper a precise estimate of vaccine efficacy.

CONCLUSION

Despite the shortcomings of efficacy studies, the Q fever vaccine available in Australia has considerable protective benefit in established high-risk environments, particularly of an occupational nature.