Reviewed: April 2011 Next Review Date: April 2012 Page 1 of 3 POLICY STATEMENT - HEALTH Staff immunisation (affiliated centres) Date of issue: April 2006 Date of review: April 2008 Policy number: policyhealth15 Authorised by: C&K board of management Prepared by: C&K policy reference group Policy statement C&K recognises the obligations contained in the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 to ensure workers, pregnant workers and others are not exposed to risks to their health and safety arising from exposure to infectious diseases. Early childhood employees may be exposed to diseases that are preventable by vaccination. Those who have not previously been infected with or immunised against these diseases are at risk of contracting an infection. Vaccination is the only effective way to manage the risks in the early childhood settings, as these diseases are infectious before the onset of illness. Application/explanation This policy applies to: affiliated community kindergartens This policy and applicable facts sheets on vaccine preventable diseases must be provided to each employee at their induction to their position, when they advise the centre of their pregnancy or during their employment if they have not been provided earlier. C&K strongly recommends that all early childhood employees be vaccinated against: Hepatitis A Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Chickenpox (Varicella) Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Other infectious diseases which pose a risk to pregnant employees are: Rubella (german measles) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Parvovirus B19 (slapped cheek syndrome). © Gatton Kindergarten Handbook 2010 Section 10: Policies (policyhealth15) Reviewed: April 2011 Next Review Date: April 2012 Page 2 of 3 Action/implementation Responsibilities of committee/licensee © All employers in early childhood settings are required to maintain a completed staff immunisation record on each staff member’s file. It is recommended that all immunisation records are supported by written evidence provided by the staff member. All staff should be provided with facts sheets on all the above vaccine preventable diseases. A record should be kept showing that these fact sheets have been provided to the staff. Facts sheets are available from the Department of Industrial Relations (www.dir.qld.gov.au) or Queensland Health(www.health.qld.gov.au/phs/cdu/). The committee should consider an appropriate management plan to assist the staff to maintain their immunisation status. This could include a subsidy for the immunisation procedure. The committee is responsible for identifying non-immune staff members and in the case of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, to ensure arrangements are in place for the continued safety of non-immunised employees. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease the committee could in the interests of public health and workplace health and safety exclude non-immune employees from the workplace to prevent the further spread of infection. Any staff member who declines vaccination or refuses to confirm their immunity should be regarded as non-immune, and in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, in the interest of public health and workplace health and safety, be excluded from the workplace until the outbreak has passed. The excluded employee should have the option of having the time counted as sick leave, annual leave or other leave entitlements. Any pregnant staff member who declines vaccination or refuses to confirm their immunity should be regarded as non-immune. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease the employee should, in the interest of public health and workplace health and safety, be excluded from the workplace until the outbreak has passed. The committee is responsible for providing all appropriate protective equipment. Forms used in the Immunisation (C&K policyhealth6) can be adapted for staff use. Gatton Kindergarten Handbook 2010 Section 10: Policies (policyhealth15) Reviewed: April 2011 Next Review Date: April 2012 Page 3 of 3 Responsibilities of staff All staff members in early childhood settings are required to complete and update an immunisation record. Staff members should inform the committee when they are immunised or receive any vaccinations, so as to keep immunisation records current. If staff members are unsure of their immunisation status or vaccination history they should seek help from their medical practitioner. A blood test may be necessary to confirm immunity. Staff members who decline vaccinations are required to: 1. consult with their medical practitioner to ensure they are fully informed about the medical risks 2. be knowledgeable about, and apply infection control practices, to protect against exposure. References 1. Department of Industrial Relations: www.dir.qld.gov.au 2. Queensland Health: www.health.qld.gov.au. 3. NHMRC, The Australian Immunisation Handbook. 4. C&K Kindergarten Handbook 2006 Section 6 WHS. © Gatton Kindergarten Handbook 2010 Section 10: Policies (policyhealth15)