Health Care Worker Immunisation Policy

Health Care Worker Immunisation Policy

Certain occupations, particularly health care workers (HCW) have the potential to be at increased risk of exposure to some vaccine-preventable diseases if they are not protected by immunity derived from past infection.

The Western Australian (WA) Health Care Worker (HCW) Immunisation policy defines the minimum immunisation standards for health service employers to adopt in their workplace to protect employees and patients from the potential threat of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases.

The recommendations outlined in this policy support the recommendations outlined in:

• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9^th Edition 2008.
• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control in Healthcare 2010
• Occupational Safety and Health Act 1986.

NOTE: The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9^th Edition 2008 will shortly be superseded by the release of the Australian Immunisation Handbook 10^th Edition 2012. Recommendations outlined in this document are consistent with the new edition.

Dr David Russell-Weisz
ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WA