If you need vaccinations because of an illness or treatment that you will receive, your physician can refer you to Travel Clinic Erasmus MC. This may happen in the following cases:
- You are HIV positive.
HIV suppresses your immune system, which makes you are more susceptible to infections. The risk of infection will be reduced by giving you a number of vaccinations as a preventive measure. - You have an autoimmune disease (such as Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, and SLE).
If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks your own body. To prevent this, you will be prescribed immunosuppressants. However, this means that you will be more susceptible to infections. To minimize this risk of infections, you will be given some preventive vaccinations before the start of the treatment. - You have undergone or will undergo organ transplantation.
To prevent the organ being rejected, you will be prescribed immune-suppressing drugs. However, this means that you will be more susceptible to infections. The risk of infection is reduced by giving you a number of vaccinations as a preventive measure. - You do not have a spleen or your spleen does not function normally.
The spleen helps protect the body against infections caused by bacteria. Living without a spleen or having a spleen that does not function normally means that you at a higher risk of infections, which could be life-threatening. Vaccinations reduce this risk. - You have cancer or a blood disease.
You may require additional vaccinations because you have cancer or certain abnormalities in your blood. In people with sickle cell disease, for instance, the spleen does not work well (this organ is important in fighting infections). Vaccinations such as the pneumococcal vaccine can help prevent serious infections. Chemotherapy may suppress your immune system. You may require additional vaccinations.
Your physician will make a digital referral or provide you with a referral letter so that you can make an appointment yourself.