CONSULTATION HOURS FOR IMMUNISATIONS, PRIMARILY FOR AT-RISK PATIENTS

The Zug cantonal hospital offers a specialised consultation service to address all immunisation issues, including for special cases such as immunosuppressed or immunodeficient individuals among others.

WHO REQUIRES A SPECIFIC IMMUNISATION CONSULTATION?

Patients

• with cancer, i.e. lymphoma, leukaemia and solid tumours, before, during, and after cytotoxic chemotherapy
• with transplants before and after the procedure: Potential recipients of a solid organ, stem cell transplants, etc.
• on immunosuppressive medication (e.g. those with autoimmune, rheumatological, neurological, or gastroenterological conditions)
• with anatomical or functional asplenia (e.g. prior splenectomy, sickle cell anaemia)
• with allergies against vaccines or with pre-existing severe allergies
• with immune deficiencies:
  • Congenital immune deficiencies: e.g. CVID, complement deficiency syndrome
  • Acquired immune deficiencies: HIV infections

CONSULTATION TOPICS / SERVICES

Patients with a newly diagnosed immunodeficiency (due to illness or treatment) can be protected from contracting an infectious disease and from its subsequent complications by receiving the appropriate vaccine.
In addition, specific immunological tests can be used to determine and in certain cases reduce the risk of reactivating an infectious disease (e.g. latent tuberculosis, hepatitis B, cytomegalovirus).

We therefore offer the following services:

• Accurate evaluation of the existing immunisation status
• An infection risk analysis based on the existing/planned immunosuppression treatment
• Consultation and implementation of the indicated procedures
• Vaccinations and preventive treatments

WHEN SHOULD I REQUEST A CONSULTATION?

• Ideally, the consultation should take place before starting immunosuppressive therapy, during the pre-transplant examination phase, or before a planned splenectomy
• In addition, we recommend that you consult us as soon as possible (e.g. in the case of a splenectomy during your hospitalisation)

PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS / DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSULTATION

Please bring the following documents to the consultation:

• Complete vaccination records (vaccination card)
• Precise information on the planned immunosuppression and the planned start date
• Prior serological tests for varicella (if the medical history is unclear), HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Serological tests for CMV and toxoplasmosis are also required prior to transplantation
• The quantiFERON test result if there are any suspected drug effects on cellular immunity (e.g. TNF-alpha blockers)
• Immunisation consultation questionnaire 
• Immunisation consultation questionnaire (English version)
• Health insurance card

By ordering these laboratory tests in advance, you will be able to help us optimise the consultation process and avoid a potential delay in the start of the planned immunotherapy.

REGISTRATION

• External referring physicians can register their patients by e-mail at infektiologie@zgks.ch or via OneDoc. Registration is handled by the attending physician.
• We will suggest an appointment date and time
• Consultations are held on Wednesday mornings at the infectious diseases department of the Zug cantonal hospital. We will inform your patients accordingly.
• The required vaccinations are administered directly during the consultation
• If you have any questions, please phone 041 399 40 14, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 am - 12 pm / 1 pm - 5 pm 
  or email infektiologie@zgks.ch

IMPORTANT: Please complete the "Immunisation consultation questionnaire" - (English version) before the consultation and bring it to the consultation.