The current edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook is the 9th edition, published in 2008. This resource can be
accessed at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-home
The Immunise Australia website http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/ provides further information and resources.
The expectations for all healthcare workers – and thus for dental practitioners and clinical support staff – is immunisation
to HBV; varicella (if seronegative); measles – mumps – rubella (if non-immune); pertussis (whooping cough); and annual
immunisation for viral influenza. Those who work with remote indigenous communities are advised to also receive
immunisation for hepatitis A, while those at high risk of exposure to drug-resistant cases of tuberculosis should also
undergo vaccination with BCG.
All dental practitioners and clinical support staff should be vaccinated against HBV if they have no documented evidence
of pre-existing immunity (from natural infection or prior vaccination) and ensure they are assessed for immunity postvaccination.
After a full course of HBV immunisation or rubella vaccination, testing for antibody levels should be carried
out to identify poor responders.
Dental practices should have education programs to support their immunisation strategy, and all dental staff should
be advised of the potential consequences of non-immunisation. Any staff member has the right to refuse vaccination;
however, this refusal must be documented with their reason for refusal noted and signed by him/her.