Download HSM - Vaccination Policy

Quality Policy
Page 1 of 4
Policy Number:
HSMTLR 1.04VP
Name of Policy:
Vaccination Policy
Contact Person:
Associate Deans: Learning & Teaching / Student Affairs &
Service Quality
Status:
Approved
Date of approval:
17 October 2012
Date last amended:
6 January 2017
Date of next review:
September 2019
Related policies and
documents:
Bond University COR1.09 Compliance Policy
Student Support Policy (Issue Six) – COR 4.01
Bond University Student Charter
HSM – Management of Allegation of Student Misconduct
Bond University Regulations Part 3 Schedule B Student
Conduct Code
HSM-related Program Student Charters
1. Overview:
As a student, within specified programs within the Faculty, you will work in environments where you will
be exposed to patients/clients with infectious diseases. These environments may put you at risk of
contracting these diseases, or passing diseases on to your patients/clients (as well as your
colleagues). Certain precautions, such as the use of protective equipment and appropriate hand‐
washing, can minimise this risk. Some of the diseases are prevented by vaccination, and such
vaccination will help protect both you and others.
Guidelines for vaccination of all Australians, including health care workers [students are considered
health care workers] are available in the Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition
(http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook10-home) and
the
Queensland
Health
Policy
for
Immunisation
of
Health
Care
Workers
(https://www.health.qld.gov.au/qhpolicy/docs/gdl/qh-gdl-321-9.pdf). These documents have informed
the development of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine Vaccination Policy. Further, as a
condition of undertaking clinical placements within New South Wales and Queensland Health Facilities,
you will be required to fulfil their stipulated Occupational Health and Safety Policies.
Where requirements for vaccination are specified by the Program initiating and maintaining currency
with the requirements outlined in this document is essential and must be arranged by the student.
2. Definitions
Vaccination:
Inoculation in an attempt to produce immunity. Vaccination does not guarantee
immunity.
Immunisation:
The process or procedure by which immunity is obtained
HSMCOR1.09VP Vaccination Policy Version 3
November 2016
Quality Policy
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3. Context
Students must be up‐to‐date with the standard Australian Immunisation Schedule at all times, through
documented evidence of immunity (blood test) and/or current vaccination records.
NOTE: Bond
University Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Queensland Health and NSW Health do not honour
conscientious objection with regard to vaccination.
Students who are vaccine “non-responders”
(HBsAb <10 mIU/mL after an initial course of vaccination) or those with medical contraindications to
vaccination should consult with an Infectious Disease Physician to discuss risks and options prior to
undertaking clinical/professional practice placements. Otherwise, you should seek the advice of your
general practitioner or the Bond University Health Service to clarify any vaccine issues you may have.
Initiating and maintaining currency with the requirements outlined here is essential for all HSM students
and must be arranged by the student.
4. The Procedure
4.1. A physician or registered nurse must complete the HSM Immunisation and Health Record Form
on your behalf, (the doctor/nurse must not be a relative or someone with whom you have a close
personal relationship). This covers evidence of protection against the following conditions:
•
Diphtheria
•
Tetanus
•
Pertussis (whooping cough)
•
Measles
•
Mumps
•
Rubella
•
Hepatitis B [For those who have not completed the full course of vaccinations, the first dose
must be received prior to Orientation Week]
•
Varicella (Chicken pox)
NOTE: The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends that health
care workers (including students) receive annual influenza vaccination.
While influenza
vaccination is not a requirement of Queensland Health or NSW Health, it is a requirement for
students enrolled in the Bond Doctor of Physiotherapy programme.
4.2. Tuberculosis (TB) screening (and vaccination as necessary): A physician or nurse can provide
this service but please be aware that the screening test is a two-step process and BOTH steps
must be completed within 48 – 78 hours or the test is considered invalid. Detailed information
about
TB
screening
and
vaccination
can
be
found
at
the
following
link:
http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/testing/default.htm
4.3. As indicated on the HSM Immunisation and Health Record Form, students must be aware of
their status with respect to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV).
HSMCOR1.09VP Vaccination Policy Version 3
November 2016
Quality Policy
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4.4. Students infected by blood borne viruses (BBV):
Principles of medical ethics and professionalism are foundational to the following:
•
The rights of all patients to good standards of practice and care from health care workers
and students;
•
That students owe a duty of care to patients and are responsible for protecting patients
against infection;
•
The Queensland Anti‐Discrimination Act 1991 prohibits discrimination on the basis of
impairment (including the presence of blood borne virus);
•
Students who are infected are entitled to confidentiality as afforded to any other patient,
however in exceptional circumstances their name may be disclosed in the interest of
patient protection
4.5. Students who are HBeAg positive, HBV DNA positive, HCV RNA positive, or HIV antibody
positive (even if virus levels become undetectable on appropriately monitored antiretroviral therapy) must not undertake exposure prone procedures (EPP).
Exposure prone procedures are those characterised by the potential for direct contact between the
skin of the health care worker and sharp surgical instruments, needles or sharp tissues (teeth or
bone spicules) in body cavities or poorly visualised or confined body sites (including the mouth).
For a list of EPPs see: Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus,
and Hepatitis C Virus Infected Healthcare Workers Implementation Standard – Appendix 1,
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/qhpolicy/docs/imp/qh-imp-321-3.pdf
4.5.1.Students must know their status with regards to infection with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and
HIV before undertaking any exposure prone procedures and should repeat testing every
twelve months while exposure prone procedures continue to be performed. Students who
are unaware of their current infection status (not having tested in the past 12 months) must
decline from participating in exposure prone procedures, and should be allowed to do so
without questioning.
Students who fail to be aware of their infection status are
committing professional misconduct.
4.5.2.Students who are infected with one of the above named blood borne infections, or
4.5.3.Students who become aware of being infected with Hepatitis B, C or HIV must immediately
cease performing exposure prone procedures and seek advice from an expert in the field
infectious disease. Students infected with a BBV who fail to cease performing EPPs are
committing professional misconduct.
5. Related Procedures
•
Bond University COR1.09 Compliance Policy
•
Bond University Bond University COR4.01 Student Support Policy
•
HSM – Management of Allegation of Student Misconduct
HSMCOR1.09VP Vaccination Policy Version 3
November 2016
Quality Policy
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6. Related Guidelines & Forms
Refer to the Compliance Guidelines on the Bond University website - https://bond.edu.au/aboutbond/academia/faculty-health-sciences-medicine/compliance
HSMCOR1.09VP Vaccination Policy Version 3
November 2016