Adult Vaccination
Rabies vaccination Note: As COVID vaccination recommendations are being updated regularly as new evidence emerges, please consult the latest National Department of Health vaccine policy recommendations. Vaccine Indications Comments Influenza vaccine Z25.1 - Pregnant women. - Elderly patients >65 years. - HIV-infected patients. - Patients with chronic pulmonary or cardiac conditi
Note:
As COVID vaccination recommendations are being updated regularly as new evidence emerges, please consult the latest National Department of Health vaccine policy recommendations.
| Vaccine | Indications | Comments |
| Influenza vaccine Z25.1 | - Pregnant women. - Elderly patients >65 years. - HIV-infected patients. - Patients with chronic pulmonary or cardiac conditions, or malignancy - Healthcare workers with direct patient contact.* |
- Contraindication: <6 months of age. - Dose: IM, 0.5mL. - Repeat annually. - Severe egg allergy is not an absolute contraindication to the inactivated influenza vaccine. However, it is recommended that individuals reporting a history of severe egg allergy are vaccinated in a setting equipped to manage allergic reactions. |
| Pneumococcal vaccine (23 valent polysaccharide) Z23.8 | - Asplenic patients. - Chronic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. |
- Contraindication: pregnancy. LoE:IIIbxxii |
| Hepatitis B vaccine** Z24.6 | - High risk groups, e.g. hospital personnel or sexual contacts of infected patients. - Sexual assault. |
- Dose: IM, 1mL immediately then 1mL after 1 month and 1mL 6 months after 1st dose. - Administer deep IM in deltoid muscle. |
| Tetanus toxoid vaccine Z23.5 | - Booster when there is a high risk for tetanus. (unless given in previous 5 years) e.g. contaminated wound or pregnant women to prevent neonatal tetanus | - Dose: IM, 40IU (0.5mL). |
Table 9.1: Adult vaccination
*Healthcare workers are not routinely offered immunisation during the annual campaign. Although it is recommended that healthcare workers are vaccinated against influenza, they will not be provided with publicly funded vaccines unless they fall within any of the designated high-risk groups.
** Not to be given to patients who have already been immunised.
Note: Prioritisation strategies may vary in a pandemic.
Rabies Vaccination
ICD-10 code: Z24.2
*Rabies is a notifiable medical condition.
See the Primary Health Care STGs and EML: Animal bites.
Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Adult Hospital Level, 2020-2024_Version 1.2_20 January 2025
Chapter 9 Systemic and Healthcare-Associated Infections_9.2 Adult Vaccination