An audit of pneumococcal and hepatitis vaccination in an outpatient HIV clinic.

BACKGROUND

HIV-positive adults are at risk of vaccine preventable infections including Streptococcus pneumoniae, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). Uptake of immunisations in HIV patients is suboptimal despite evidence of efficacy.

METHODS

An audit was made of the vaccination records in 200 adult HIV-positive regular clinic attendees, with a CD4+ count >200 cells μL(-1).

RESULTS

Medical records or laboratory data revealed that 10% had been vaccinated against S. pneumoniae; 74% were immune or immunised against HAV; 40% had evidence of natural infection with HBV and 84% of nonimmune patients had been vaccinated.

CONCLUSIONS

Strategies to improve vaccine uptake are required.