Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD)
The University seeks to minimise the risk of individuals acquiring vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) when undertaking activities for the University. Infectious disease in humans can be caused by a range of organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and prions.
- Some Infectious diseases can be prevented, or the impact reduced by being vaccinated. A list of vaccine preventable diseases is available - see Australian Immunisation Handbook
Supervisor/ Manager in consultation with relevant staff / students must complete a risk assessment to identify workplace tasks/locations or other activities associated with an increased risk of acquiring and/or transmission of a VPD. Where the risk assessment indicates vaccination is a suitable control measure, it is the supervisors/ managers responsibility to inform those people and provide them information around any vaccination requirements.
Please see details in the Vaccine Preventable Disease Procedure.
Some activities or organisms of certain Risk Groups have been identified as increasing the risk of acquiring or transmitting of VPD, these include (but not limited to);
- handling or exposed to human body fluids, blood and blood products
- handling human faeces, urine or intestinal contents
- handling infectious organisms associated with vaccine-preventable diseases
- exposure to mammalian foetuses, placentae or uterine contents
- contact with animals, animal blood, tissues, products, carcases or animal waste
- exposure to zoonotic pathogens when working with animals
- exposure to wild caught or infected biting arthropods
- exposure to wildlife or wildlife products or carcases
- working overseas especially in countries where it has been determined there is a risk of identified VPD infection
- exposure to contaminated sharps, any other contaminated surfaces, materials or equipment
- exposure to waste water or sewage facilities
- working as Mortuary Technicians, Embalmers or Histology worker
- healthcare providers in remote Indigenous communities
- exposure to infected soil or dusts
- any other group of persons where a risk assessment determines potential exposure warrants vaccination.
The provision of information by the supervisor/ manager about the relevant vaccine-preventable diseases and the risk associated must be recorded on the Declaration of Informed Consent for VPD and must be provided to individuals as part of the communication/ consultation process.
There may be reasons why individuals decline vaccinations, including medical reasons. Where these individuals are not protected by vaccination, the College/ Portfolio must formalise this in writing by having the individual complete the Declined Vaccination Statement for a VPD noting they may be at risk of acquiring the identified disease(s) for which a vaccine is available.
Staff, students and others are responsible for sourcing vaccinations as required for their work or study. The University Health Counselling and Disability Service or a person’s General Practitioner should be contacted regarding vaccination information and availability.
Vaccination Certificates must be kept in the following:
- Staff - in WorkDay
- Students - in InPlace
Accident/ incident Reporting
All accidents/ incidents that occurred where the work/ study undertaken with infectious organisms is the confirmed source of infection must be reported via FlinSafe.
If the incident involves a Genetically Modified Organism it must also be reported immediately to the Biosafety Officer as required by the Regulator.
Where the accident/incident involves exposure to human blood or body fluid then the Blood & Body fluid Exposure procedure must be followed.
For further information on Biosafety including Genetically Modified Organisms please see Biosafety - Flinders University Staff
