Hi All
This certainly seems a more resourceful
way of tackling this issue and you are not vaccinating unnecessarily which is
something that needs to be considered especially if at any stage significant
side effects are linked to the vaccine however loosely.
All best
Sara Werry
Professional
Services Coordinator
Gipping Occupational
Health Ltd
Mill
Lodge
Mendlesham
Green
STOWMARKET
IP14
5RB
T.
01449 766913
F.
01449 766891
From:
[log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Darcy, Paul
Sent: 19 June 2008 13:03
To:
Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Measles
immunity assessment
Dear all,
we obtain immunity through testing for
measles and rubella in addition to varicella rather than blanket MMR
vaccination. The cost issue is balanced between the cost of 2
appointments for MMR versus the test cost of the measles/rubella serology.
MMR requires the employee to be away from
the place of work on 2 occasions and takes up 2 clinic appointments and admin
support time. All these have costs associated with them. On the
plus side is that you will not have to pay for the vaccines.
Serology requires one appointment for the
employee and one clinic slot and also admin time to process results and the
vast majority of employees (typically 95% or more based on our own experience)
will be immune against both measles and rubella and so very few.
We are just about to implement a policy of
compulsory screening/ immunisation of all new clinical staff which will be
included in their terms of employment. In specific areas those without
the required evidence of immunity or those declining screened will be refused
employment due to the risk to patients. Naturally there will be a
minority of individual circumstances where we may have to make exceptions but
this will be on a case by case basis. we are also performing catch up
screening for existing clinical staff although this will not be in the terms of
employment at this stage.
Clinical staff have a duty of care to
their patients and may be professionally negligent if they fail to comply with
immunisation/ screening requirements.
regards
Paul
D'Arcy
Clinical
Nurse Leader
Workplace
Health & Wellbeing
Hammersmith,
Charing Cross and Queen Charlotte and Chelsea Hospitals
Imperial
College Healthcare NHS Trust
Tel
020 8846 1137
Facsimile
020 8846 1160
Paul
From:
[log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Davey, Carolynne Ms
Sent: 19 June 2008 12:32
To:
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Measles
immunity assessment
I also started a new in-house service,
approx 2 yrs ago, and I now check new starters as per Chapter 12 Green Book.
For staff who did not get fully screened I am trying to do a retrospective
catch up as well as taking advantage of when staff transfer posts and need a
further health clearance.
Hope this helps
Carolynne Davey
Occupational Health
Advisor
SSAFA Forces Help
HQ BFG HS
Wegberg
BFPO 40
Tel: 0049 2161 908
2481
Military (948) 67 2481
From:
[log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of sandy
Sent: 18 June 2008 22:15
To:
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Measles
immunity assessment
I work in the NHS for a Mental Health
Trust. I have now been in post for 12 months developing a new in house service.
Following a recent DoH communication re doctor spreading measles-it
has been questioned whether checking of staff for measles should be undertaken.
I am aware that the "Green Book " has recommendations.
I wondered if colleagues would share how they have managed the
measles, mumps, rubella, varicella situation in such an environment?
-Do you routinely check all new starters? If so for all 4 diseases
or just some?
-Do you take short cuts e.g. assume mothers have been assessed
during pregnancy for rubella?
-The thought seems to be going towards giving MMRx2 to all
permanent staff on certain in-patient areas as the vaccine is free and serology
costs. Proof of previous immunisation will naturally preclude this.
How do you manage the fact that staff do bank shifts? in the
selected areas? Also locum medical staff, OTs, psychologists etc?
-Do you check community staff?
-Do you have much success in obtaining written proof of MMR X2
vaccination history? I seem to struggle.
Looking forward to your replies
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