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Immunisation uses the body’s natural defence mechanism - called the 'immune response' - to build resistance to specific infections. Vaccinations, using injections or oral intake drugs, are one method of developing immunity against certain diseases.
Like anything in life, immunisation has some very small risks. However these risks are far less than the risks associated with the diseases against which the vaccines protect.
Some of these diseases are now rare and others less common, because many people have been immunised against them. Yet these diseases still exist and do continue to cause illness and sometimes death.
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children and adults against certain diseases such as whooping cough, measles and tetanus in the workplace and the community. Talk to your General Practitioner about which vaccinations you should consider.
The Japanese Encephalitis vaccine may be recommended for new residents or long-term visitors to the outer Torres Strait Islands. This recommendation depends on which islands of the Torres Strait will be visited, duration of stay, season of travel, extent of outdoor activity and extent of mosquito avoidance measures.
Seek further advice from a travel medical clinic or the Tropical Population Health Network.
Certain occupations are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
It is important that employers in consultation and collaboration with employees develop and implement policies and practices to minimise the transmission of infectious diseases in their working environment.
Child care staff should be vaccinated against hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella.
Medical, nursing and other health professionals should be vaccinated against infections they may encounter. These may include hepatitis B, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, varicella and tuberculosis.
Sewerage workers should be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Individuals who come into contact with bats (both flying foxes and microbats) as part of their occupation, should be vaccinated against Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) using rabies vaccine. Occupations include managers of display colonies of bats, bat carers and wildlife officers.
References
International Travel and Health: Vaccination Requirements and Health Advice. (2000). World Health Organisation, Geneva.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook 7th Edition. (March 2000). National Health and Medical Research Council, Canberra.
Useful Links
Immunise Australia
For the latest information available on immunisation.
National Health and Medical Research Council
For recommended minimum exclusion periods from school, preschool and child care centres, and for infectious disease cases and their close contacts.
For full details of common infectious diseases
Staying Healthy in Child Care. National Health and Medical Research Council.
Also available from:
Australian Government Publishing Service
Mail Order Sales, GPO 84
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: 13 24 47
Queensland Health
For fact sheets and other information on communicable diseases including vaccine-preventable diseases.
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