Key messages
Healthcare workers are at increased risk of exposure to and transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccination requirements and recommendations for healthcare workers are determined by their risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases at work.
Influenza vaccination is required annually by 15 August for certain healthcare workers
COVID-19 vaccination is also required for certain healthcare workers.
Because of their occupation, healthcare workers are more likely to be exposed to, acquire and transmit vaccine-preventable diseases such as COVID-19, influenza, measles, rubella and pertussis.
To protect the health and safety of patients and other healthcare workers, and to maintain immunity in the healthcare worker population, vaccination for certain diseases is highly recommended for all healthcare workers.
Certain vaccines are now required for some healthcare workers, and recommended for other workers, depending on the likelihood of their contact with certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Work activities, rather than job title, have been considered to ensure each healthcare worker has the right level of protection.
Legislation
On 25 March 2020, the Health Services Amendment (Mandatory Vaccination of Healthcare Workers) Act 2020 came into effect.
The amendment inserted sections into the Health Services Act 1988 and Ambulance Services Act 1986 that enable the Secretary of the Department of Health to direct health and ambulance services to require vaccination against selected vaccine-preventable diseases to better protect Victorians and create a safer healthcare system. Secretary Directions are issued when a vaccine is required for certain healthcare workers.
The Mental Health Act 2014 allows the Minister for Mental Health to issue a written direction on any matter that the Minister is satisfied is necessary, including requiring vaccinations for healthcare workers. Ministerial Directions are issued when a vaccine is required for Forensicare employees.
Implementation
Vaccination requirements apply in:
public health services
public hospitals
denominational hospitals
private hospitals and day procedure centres
ambulance services
patient transport services that are engaged or engaged by a health service or Ambulance Victoria
residential aged care services operated by public health services
Forensicare (via Ministerial Directions, influenza only).
Definitions of the above settings can be found within the Health Services Act 1988, Ambulance Services Act 1986 and Mental Health Act 2014.
Healthcare settings where vaccination requirements apply should develop a comprehensive immunisation policy for all healthcare workers, and workers should be assessed for their specific vaccine requirements, taking possible contraindications or exemptions into account.
Vaccination policies should include (at a minimum) the requirements of any relevant Secretary or Ministerial Directions that are in place, and relevant to their setting.
Work practices should also include the use of standard and additional infection control precautions to minimise exposure to infectious diseases.
Healthcare workers can be triaged into risk Category A, B and C according to the table below.