Annual influenza vaccination is provided free for all NSW Health workers. While highly recommended for all health care workers, under the policy directive Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination against specified infectious diseases (PD2022_030) it is mandatory for those in Category A positions.

Category A positions involve either:

  • Direct physical contact with
    • patients/clients
    • deceased persons, body parts
    • blood, body substances, infectious material or surfaces or equipment that might contain these (e.g. soiled linen, surgical equipment, syringes); OR
  • Contact that would allow the acquisition or transmission of diseases that are spread by respiratory means, including:
    • workers with frequent/prolonged face-to-face contact with patients or clients e.g., interviewing or counselling individual clients or small groups; performing reception duties in an emergency or outpatients department;
    • where the normal work location is in a clinical area such as a ward, emergency department, outpatient clinic (including, for example, ward clerks and patient transport officers), or workers who frequently, throughout their working week, are required to attend clinical areas, e.g. workers employed in food services who deliver meals and maintenance workers.

All students who undertake clinical placements within NSW Health facilities are considered Category A.

Workers employed in Category A positions that are unable to receive influenza vaccine due to a medical contraindication must provide evidence from their doctor or treating specialist. During the influenza season these workers must wear a surgical/procedural mask while providing patient care, and may be reassigned to an area of lower risk under a risk management plan.

Workers employed in Category A positions who refuse annual influenza vaccination (other than those with a recognised medical contraindication to influenza vaccine) must submit a Non Participation Form. During the influenza season, these workers must wear a surgical/procedural mask while providing patient care and may be reassigned to an area of lower risk under a risk management plan.  

Category A workers must be vaccinated prior to 1 June each year.

For further information see:

Current as at: Friday 29 July 2022
Contact page owner: Communicable Diseases