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Immunizations for immunocompromised travelers

Certain countries require that foreigners (typically long-term visitors) be tested for HIV prior to entry. See the U.S. State Department website for a current list of country requirements.

It is especially important for those with limited immune function to adhere closely to food and water precautions and insect protection measures, as advised.

Recommendations for immunocompromised travelers, including those infected with HIV and those receiving immunosuppressive medications, are the same as those for those with normal immune systems, except that vaccines containing live viruses or bacteria should be avoided, as below:

Yellow fever vaccine

Should be avoided in immunocompromised persons
May be considered for those with asymptomatic HIV infection if travel to high-risk area is unavoidable

Typhoid vaccine

Inactivated injectable vaccine preferable to oral vaccine, which contains live bacteria

Measles vaccine

Should not be given to severely immunocompromised individuals, e.g. HIV-infected persons with extremely low CD4 lymphocyte counts or persons receiving high-dose steroids
Consider prophylactic injection of immune globulin if severely immunocompromised traveler does not have measles antibodies and will be visiting area where measles occurs
May be given to those with mild immune deficiencies, e.g. HIV-infected persons with normal or mildly depressed CD4 lymphocyte counts

Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Should be avoided in immunocompromised persons

From the Centers for Disease Control

HIV-Infected Traveler Precautions

Vaccine Recommendations for Travelers with Altered Immunocompetence, Including HIV

From Health Canada

Statement on Travellers and HIV/AIDS (1994)

Interim Advisory on Measles Revaccination of Persons with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

From AEGIS

Traveling with HIV