Update on COVID-19 vaccine mandate
As of 25 September 2023 Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Service no longer mandate COVID-19 vaccination for employees, prospective employees, contractors, agency workers, students, and volunteers.
The updated Vaccination of healthcare workers’ Guideline [PDF 759.34 KB] provides comprehensive details on vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. Any reference to ‘worker’ in the guideline includes employees, prospective employees, contractors, agency workers, students and volunteers.
Recommendations
Vaccination is proven to reduce hospitalisation and severe illness caused by COVID-19. Queensland Health continues to recommend all of its workers are vaccinated and follow the Australian Technical Advisory group on Immunisation (ATAGI) COVID-19 advice. The most recent ATAGI advice can be found here: Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
Education providers have an obligation to provide a safe work placement for students which will be informed by their own risk assessment. Queensland Health recognises that education providers may require vaccinations in addition to Queensland Health’s current requirements.
Students are encouraged to first contact their education provider if they have additional queries regarding their clinical placement.
Further information
Further information on Queensland Health vaccination requirements for contractors, students and volunteers can be found in the Health Service Directive Vaccine preventable disease screening for contractors, students and volunteers and Health Service Protocol for vaccine preventable disease screening for contractors, students and volunteers.
The Acute Respiratory Infection–Infection Prevention and Control Guideline [PDF 665 KB] provides information and guidance for managing patients with suspected or confirmed acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) in healthcare settings.
Fit testing and the use of respirators while on clinical placements
Wearing of fit-tested respirators is a requirement for students attending clinical placements in Queensland Health facilities where there is a high risk of exposure to an airborne infectious agent. Further information can be found in Queensland Health’s Fit testing of particulate filter respirators in respiratory protection programs implementation guidance [PDF 441 KB].
Further information about fit testing can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions – Fit testing and the use of respirators section.
Fit testing and fit checking minimise the risk of transmission by identifying which Particulate Filter Respirator (PFR) provides a sufficient fit for each user and then ensuring a proper fit each time the PFR is worn. PFR refers to high level fluid resistance respirators that assist in reducing the wearers respiratory exposure to airborne contaminants. P2/N95 respirators are classified as PFRs.
Fit checking must be done each time a PFR is put on to ensure a good seal is achieved over the bridge of the nose and mouth, and that there are no gaps between the respirator and face. Positive and negative seal checking is part of the process to indicate whether further positioning adjustments are required.
Please refer to the Particulate filter respirators (P2/N95 respirators) page for further information regarding fit checking and Correct use of PPE.
Please refer to the Principles of fit check for P2/N95 respirator poster [PDF 650.7 KB] and First Nations culturally appropriate Principles of fit check for P2/N95 respirator poster [PDF 710.55 KB].