Table. Recommended timing of live vaccine doses in adults and children taking corticosteroids
This table assumes that the person has no other factors that contribute to their being immunocompromised (such as an underlying medical condition or use of other immunosuppressive medicines).
| Vaccine recipient | Prednisone-equivalent dose | Duration of therapy | Potential timing of vaccination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescents aged ≥16 years and adults | <20 mg per day | Any duration | Any time during therapy |
| ≥20 mg per day | <14 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or any time after stopping corticosteroids. | |
| ≥20 mg per day | ≥14 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroid or at least 1 month after stopping corticosteroids. | |
| Children and adolescents aged <16 years, weight ≤10 kg | <1 mg/kg per day | <30 days | Any time during therapy |
| <2 mg/per day | <14 days | Any time during therapy | |
| <2 mg/per day | 14–28 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or at least 1 month after stopping corticosteroids. Alternatively, person may be able to receive live vaccines at any time during therapy, but only after seeking expert advice. | |
| ≥2 mg/kg per day | <14 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or any time after stopping corticosteroids. | |
| ≥2 mg/kg per day | Between 14 days and 28 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or at least 1 month after stopping corticosteroids. | |
| Children and adolescents aged <16 years, weight >10 kg | <10 mg per day | <28 days | Any time during therapy |
| <20 mg per day | <14 days | Any time during therapy | |
| <20 mg per day | 14–28 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or at least 1 month after stopping corticosteroids. Alternatively, the person may be able to receive live vaccines at any time during therapy, but only after seeking expert advice. | |
| ≥20 mg per day | <14 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or any time after stopping corticosteroids. | |
| ≥20 mg per day | 14–28 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or at least 1 month after stopping corticosteroids. | |
| Children and adolescents aged <16 years, any weight | Any dose | >28 days | Immunise 1 month before starting corticosteroids or at least 1 month after stopping corticosteroids. |
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