QA2 Policy & Procedures Number: 14
Child and Staff Immunisation Policy to be read with Infectious Diseases Policy
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them in the community. Immunisation not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by reducing the spread of disease. Under the new legislation “No Jab, No Play” passed by the Victorian Parliament, the legislation commenced 1 January 2016. All children enrolling in early childhood education and care services need to be up to date with their vacinations or have approved exemption. Enrolments confirmed in writing before 1 January 2016 will not be impacted by the legislation. Minimising risks To minimise risks, complications and the spread of vaccine preventable diseases, The Peter Toms Early Learning Centre will:
Seek written/documented evidence of the child’s immunisation status and records. Immunisation is not compulsory; however, in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at the centre, unimmunised children will be required to remain at home throughout the duration of the outbreak. Documentation accepted is: A letter from the doctor, baby health clinic or nurse, local council or hospital or The Personal Health Record (“Blue Book”) or The Australian Childhood immunization Register History Statement
It is the family’s responsibility to ensure that their child’s immunisation is up to date. All records will be kept according to the centre confidentially and privacy policy. Parents will be provided regularly with reminders to update their immunization register Parents must provide updates to the child’s immunisation record. Failure to comply with this directive will mean the child will be regarded as being unimmunised.
If required by the Public Health unit, all families, staff members and persons normally working in and/or visiting the premises will be notified in writing that an outbreak of a particular infectious disease has occurred
On instruction from the Public Health Unit, the child/staff that is to be excluded will be notified in writing and the Centre must ensure that the child/staff is excluded for the specified period.
The Peter Toms Early Learning Centre – Policy and Procedures Manual, Updated: January 2016, Review date: December 2016.
The Immunisation Register must be made available for inspection by the Medical Officer of Health of the local Public Health Unit. Parents will be informed on enrolment that all unimmunised children will be excluded if there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, if advised by the Public Health Unit.
Legislative Requirements Federal Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 1995 National Childcare Accreditation Council No jab, No Play legislation 1 January 2016 Victoria Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 2006 Sources Department of Health and Aging. National Immunisation Program Schedule (VALID FROM 1 JULY 2007) Children’s Services Regulations 2004 Retrieved 1st March 2010. NHMRC. Staying Healthy in Child Care Preventing infectious diseases in child care 4th edition Endorsed December 2005. Review The review will be conducted by:
The Peter Toms Early Learning Centre staff Families
Policy created date: 1st March 2012
The Peter Toms Early Learning Centre – Policy and Procedures Manual, Updated: January 2016, Review date: December 2016.
Immunisation Schedule National Immunisation Program Schedule
(VALID
FROM 1 JULY 2007)
Birth Hepatitis B (hepB) 2 months Hepatitis B (hepB) Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (acellular pertussis) (DTPa) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Polio (inactivated poliomyelitis IPV) Pneumococcal conjugate (7vPCV) Rotavirus 4 months Hepatitis B (hepB) Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (acellular pertussis (DTPa) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Polio (inactivated poliomyelitis IPV) Pneumococcal conjugate (7vPCV) Rotavirus 6 months Hepatitis B (hepB) Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (acellular pertussis (DTPa) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Polio (inactivated poliomyelitis) (IPV) Pneumococcal conjugate (7vPCV) [ Rotavirus [See footnote j] 12 months Hepatitis B (hepB) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) [See footnote d] Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Meningococcal C (MenCCV) 12-24 months Hepatitis A (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in high risk areas) 18 months Chickenpox (varicella) (VZV) 18-24 months Pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in high risk areas) Hepatitis A (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in high risk areas) The Peter Toms Early Learning Centre – Policy and Procedures Manual, Updated: January 2016, Review date: December 2016.
4 years Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (acellular pertussis) (DTPa) Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Polio (inactivated poliomyelitis) (IPV) 10-13 years Hepatitis B [See footnote h] Chickenpox (varicella) (VZV) 12-13 years Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 15-17 years Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (acellular pertussis) (dTPa) 15-49 years Influenza (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people medically at-risk) Pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people medically atrisk) 50 years and over Influenza (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) Pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV) (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) 65 years and over Influenza (flu) Pneumococcal polysaccharide (23vPPV)
The Peter Toms Early Learning Centre – Policy and Procedures Manual, Updated: January 2016, Review date: December 2016.
