Setting up a Worker Healthcare Vaccination Program in Australia
Health care workers are exposed to the influenza virus more than
anyone else throughout the year. They can easily get infected from
patients admitted in health care facilities with the illness. Nearly
10-25% of Australians get affected with the virus and unvaccinated
health workers catch them unknowingly.
General symptoms
Scratchy throat, achy muscles and slight temperatures are the general
symptoms of influenza. It is very common for people to work with all
these symptoms without even knowing that they are actually spreading the
disease.
Organising a staff influenza vaccination program in the workplace will
not only protect the workers from the disease but also prevent spreading
it. A proper combination of right education, practical approach and
support from the organisation is the key to a successful vaccination
program.
Vaccination programs in Western Australia
The Child and Adolescent Health Service and the Women’s and Newborn
Health Service in Western Australia provides annual employee influenza
vaccination program before the winter season. The Infection Control
Department organises and administers influenza vaccination programs for
all its employees and volunteers.
How to promote vaccination programs
- Studies suggest that when vaccine is available for free to
health workers, the uptake increases significantly.
- It is very effective to approach the workers through the mobile
vaccination service during their meal breaks and shift changeovers.
- The hospital administrators, head of departments and managers
can promote the culture of immunisation by encouraging staff
vaccination in their areas.
- Informing the staff about the organisation’s Public Relations
Department through newsletters can also keep them up to date about
the programs.
- Promote vaccination education among the workers through
Pharmaceutical representative assistance during their meal breaks.
- Educational campaign in staff communal areas will make them
aware of the need for vaccination.
- Distributing information sheets that contain details about
vaccine effectiveness, the complications of influenza infection and
other information can drive them towards immunisation.
Barriers of vaccination programs
- It is very important for the staffs to have the proper
knowledge about vaccination as they can spread misconceptions
about the vaccine.
- Information on the vaccine should focus on its effectiveness
in reducing the risk of further outbreak. It is important for
the workers to have proper knowledge about the difference
between common cold and influenza as many people tend to combine
both the terms.
- One of the main reasons for refusal of vaccination are its
related side effects.
- Many people often tend to resist vaccination because of
their own personal interpretation. It is necessary to have
proper knowledge about the vaccine.
- The healthcare officials should be reminded of the fact that
they are responsible for the health of the patient and protect
the patients from infecting them with influenza virus.
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