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# Appendix 2: Immunisations

This appendix gives information on live immunisations and non-live immunisations that may have been received by potential donors. For each immunisation, the requirement of a minimum deferral period is indicated and where a minimum deferral is required, this is given in days.

Please note, for the calculation of deferral periods, the following definitions apply:

- Day 0 is the day of immunisation
- Day 1 commences at one minute past midnight on the day after immunisation

The minimum deferral period after immunisation applies to donors who have not been exposed to the infection. For post-exposure immunisation, refer to the relevant guideline entry.

Disease | Comments and example adult preparations | Immunisation type | Minimum deferral
--- | --- | --- | ---
Anthrax | Rarely given | Non-live | No
Cholera | Two cholera vaccines are available: Vaxchora® and Dukoral®; see rows below. Ensure the correct guidance is applied depending on the vaccine given. If vaccine name not certain, treat as a live vaccine. | See below | See below
Cholera | Vaxchora® | Live | 28 days
Cholera | Dukoral® | Non-live | No
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) | All COVID-19 vaccines licensed in the UK are non-live | Non-live | No
Dengue | Qdenga®, Dengvaxia® | Live | 28 days
Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) | Menitorex® | Non-live | No
Hepatitis A | May be combined with typhoid or hepatitis B. Hepatitis A only: Vaqta®, Avaxim®, Havrix® Combined with typhoid: ViATIM® Combined with hepatitis B: Ambirix®, Twinrix® | Non-live | 14 days
Hepatitis B | May be combined with hepatitis A. If unexposed and more than 14 days from last immunisation, accept (see Hepatitis B). Engerix®, Fendrix®, HBvaxPRO®, PreHevBri®, Ambirix®, Twinrix® | Non-live | 14 days
Human papillomavirus (HPV) | Cervarix®, Gardasil® | Non-live | No
Influenza, intra-nasal | Given by intra-nasal spray, from 2 to 18 years of age. Fluenz Tetra® | Live | 28 days
Influenza, injection | This is the annual 'flu jab', given by injection. Several preparations, updated annually. | Non-live | No
Japanese encephalitis | Usually given for travel. Ixiaro® | Non-live | 14 days
Measles, mumps, rubella | This is the 'MMR' vaccine. M-M-RvaxPro®, Priorix® | Live | 28 days
Meningitis | Meningococcal group C: NeisVac-C®, Menjugate Kit® Meningococcal group B: Bexsero®, Trumenba® MenACWY Quadrivalent vaccine: Menveo®, Nimenrix®, MenQuadfi® Combined with H. influenzae type b (Hib): Menitorix® | Non-live | No
Mpox | Imvanex® (MVA-BN) is a live attenuated non-replicating smallpox vaccine. It may be used for pre-exposure mpox prophylaxis in healthcare workers or for post-exposure prophylaxis in contacts of mpox cases. If given for mpox vaccination, treat as a non-live vaccine (see Mpox). | Non-live | No
Pertussis | Usually given to pregnant women, in combination with diphtheria/tetanus/polio vaccine or diphtheria/tetanus vaccine. | Non-live | No
Pneumococcal disease | Usually given to people with specific risks (e.g. people who have had a splenectomy, people over 65). Pneumovax 23® | Non-live | No
Polio, injected | Usually given in combination with other vaccines including (depending on the preparation) diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae. | Non-live | No
Polio, oral | Not in routine use in the UK but may be given abroad | Live | 28 days
Rabies | Usually given to non-exposed individuals if occupation or activity has an exposure risk, or for some travellers to endemic areas. Rabipur®, Verorab® | Non-live | No
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Abrysvo®, Arexvy® | Non-live | No
Shingles | Two shingles vaccines are available: Zostavax® and Shingrix®; see rows below. Please note, Shingrix® has replaced Zostavax® in the UK vaccination programme for individuals aged 60-79 years. | See below | See below
Shingles | Zostavax® for shingles prevention | Live | 28 days
Shingles | Shingrix® for shingles prevention | Non-live | No
Smallpox | This requires an 8-week deferral. If given, see Smallpox immunisation. See also Mpox (above). | Live | 56 days
Tetanus | Usually given in combination with other vaccines including (depending on the preparation) diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Haemophilus influenzae. | Non-live | No
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) | TicoVac® | Non-live | No
Tuberculosis | This is the 'BCG' vaccine | Live | 28 days
Typhoid, injected | As a single preparation: Typhim Vi® Combined with hepatitis A: ViATIM® | Non-live | No
Typhoid, oral | Usually given in capsule form. Vivotif® | Live | 28 days
Varicella (chickenpox) | Usually given to healthcare workers. Varilrix®, Varivax® | Live | 28 days
Yellow Fever | Stamaril® | Live | 28 days

Last updated in WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 78 (28 August 2025)

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