Are they protected? Immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases in healthcare workers at an Australian hospital.

Conclusions: Immunity to VPDs among existing HCWs was inadequate. About half assessed HCWs were non-immune to at least one VPD, and non-immunity to hepatitis B was high. A comprehensive assessment strategy for existing employees is required to enhance vaccination coverage and compliance with national guidelines. Implications: Adequately resourced 'look-back' immunisation assessment programs are required to reduce the risks of VPDs among existing staff and patients. Review of current approaches and national consensus regarding the need for mandatory strategies would assist this process. PMID: 24494952 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Aust N Z J Public Health Source Type: research