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)