To the Editor: Currie and colleagues highlight the important topic of animal vaccines as occupational hazards and the need for improved clinician advice to manage patients safely.1 The article title describes “high pressure” injections, yet the oil emulsion vaccine of most concern, against ovine Johne's disease, is delivered via a standard needle injection. All accidental mineral oil injections are of concern (as are all high pressure injections). Appropriate identification and advice can be obtained by contacting a Poisons Information Centre (PIC). This was not discussed by Currie and colleagues, although it was recommended in a reference they cited.2 Unlike some vaccine manufacturers, the publicly funded PIC service provides 24‐hour emergency medical advice (131 126) for the public and health professionals.
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- 1. Currie E, Cope R, Hardy MC. Recognising injuries related to needlestick injury in farmers: the importance of identifying high pressure injections with mineral oil. Med J Aust 2019; 210: 333–334. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2019/210/7/recognising-injuries-related-needlestick-injury-farmers-importance-identifying
- 2. Robertson CE, Ackerman NA, Burke FD, Reilly WJ. Sharps and high‐pressure injection injuries in veterinary and animal workers. Eur J Emerg Med 2016; 23: 8–11.
- 3. Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council. Scheduling Policy Framework for Medicines and Chemicals. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia, 2018. https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/ahmac-scheduling-policy-framework-medicines-and-chemicals.pdf (viewed May 2019).
- 4. Wylie CE, Cairns R, Brown JA, Buckley NA. Human exposures to veterinary pharmaceutical products reported to Australia's largest poison information centre. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2019; 57: 855–866.
- 5. Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. Adverse Experience Reporting Program: annual report of events occurring in 2015. Canberra: APVMA, 2018. https://apvma.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication/40601-aerp_annual_report_2015_final.pdf (accessed May 2019).
No relevant disclosures.