Priscilla Singh1
1Registered Midwife and Clinical Nurse Consultant in Infection Prevention & Control
Abstract:
Background
Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at increased risk of acquiring and transmitting vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) due to occupational exposure. Vaccinating HCP is essential not only to protect them from infection but also to prevent the transmission of VPDs to vulnerable patients and ensure continuity of healthcare services. Despite most healthcare facilities having policies for workforce immunisation that comply with public health orders and legislation mandating vaccination, coverage remains suboptimal.
Method
This presentation reviews hospital policies and immunisation rates at St John of God Healthcare (SJHC), Berwick, alongside global scientific evidence supporting HCP vaccination. It explores the challenges of implementing vaccination programs in healthcare, addressing both ethical and logistical issues related to mandatory versus voluntary vaccination.
Results
Hospital data demonstrates that a multimodal approach—comprising widespread communication, easy access to free vaccinations, interviews and counselling, declination forms and weekly vaccination reports—can improve coverage rates. Excluding Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) from the denominator further boosts reported rates, though questions about cost remain.
Conclusion
Mandatory vaccination programs may yield higher short-term vaccination rates compared to voluntary approaches, the long-term sustainability and financial impact of such programs require further consideration.