Accreditation practice pointer: staff immunisation

C3.5 B Our practice team is encouraged to obtain immunisations recommended by the current edition of the Australian immunisation handbook based on their duties and immunisation status.

RACGP Standards for general practice

General practices must offer their practice teams vaccinations as recommended by the Australian immunisation handbook. (https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/) These vaccinations can be provided by a qualified colleague. 

It is also important to record the natural immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases or immunisation status of practice team members if known (with their consent). 

Should there be an outbreak of disease, general practice needs to consider the practice team members who are not immunised. Likewise, the practice needs to prevent the transmission of the disease to patients who cannot be immunised for medical reasons. 

Thus, practices might take the precautionary measure of suspending these team members from the practice to help prevent them from both contracting the disease and spreading the disease to vulnerable patients.