In Australia, mandates have been implemented to encourage the uptake of certain vaccines. These policies have been embraced by government and businesses. They acknowledge both the risks and benefits of vaccination, and include the perspective of medical experts. In the future, these mandates will continue to be an important global strategy in increasing vaccine uptake. However, there are some issues associated with these policies, which need to be considered before they are implemented.
Influenza vaccines
Influenza vaccines are recommended annually for people in Australia. There are two types of influenza vaccines: seasonal and year-round. Seasonal vaccines contain no live virus, so they do not give you the flu. However, they do boost your natural immune system. The vaccines may cause mild side effects, including a high temperature, but they usually go away on their own within a couple of days. A flu shot is an essential preventive measure against influenza and is recommended for everyone aged six months and over. In addition to protecting you against influenza, it also helps protect vulnerable members of your community.
Influenza vaccines for Australia are produced by CSL, Ltd, a company that exports its vaccines to other countries. The company sometimes sells these vaccines under different brands. In the UK, for example, CSL’s flu vaccine is marketed by Pfizer as Enzira. Meanwhile, CSL Biotherapies sells a generic version.
COVID-19 vaccine
The Australian government has made the COVID-19 vaccine a priority, requiring accurate reporting of doses administered, stock levels and wastage. The vaccine is administered to high-risk workers in quarantine hotels and frontline health care workers. The vaccine is given in two doses. It is expected to be effective against all three forms of the virus, and will be available in early 2020.
The Australian government recently agreed to a deal with moderna to supply 25 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Australia. The deal was confirmed by Health Minister Greg Hunt, and the vaccine should be available in Australia by September or December. The Australian government is also in talks with private companies to produce mRNA vaccines locally. There are currently no local manufacturing facilities and Australia imports all vaccines.
Cancer vaccines
Cancer vaccines are a great way to protect people against many types of cancer. However, these vaccines must be developed to target the specific tumours in a person’s body. Unfortunately, these vaccines are not inexpensive, and can be ineffective in some patients. Fortunately, new insights have made it possible to develop a vaccine for the common types of cancer. Vaccine trials are currently underway, and donations to help fund the research can be made through the Mater Foundation.
In Australia, the HPV vaccine and HPV screening program have dramatically reduced the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer. The program, which started with teenage girls in 2007, was expanded to include school-age boys in 2013. It has already helped reduce the number of cervical cancer deaths in Australia by nearly seventy percent. The Australian vaccination program has received worldwide recognition, with more than two hundred million doses distributed in more than 130 countries. Currently, HPV vaccines protect against 70 per cent of cervical cancers, ninety per cent of genital warts, and as much as half of vulva cancer cases.
Mandates for certain employment types
Mandates for certain employment types in Australia are a controversial issue that affects a variety of industries, including health care. These laws are meant to protect employees who have health problems that make them ineligible for the type of work they want. However, this law is also causing some employers to consider alternative work arrangements. In a supermarket, for example, a cashier may be shifted to an office position doing administration or restocking.
Mandates for certain employment types in Australia are legal in most states and territories. They cover many areas of the employment relationship, including statutory protections and contractual obligations. Many contracts contain an implied term that an employee must comply with an employer’s directions. Thus, if an employer demands that his or her employees take a specific vaccine, this may be deemed ‘lawful and reasonable’.
Japanese Encephalitis outbreak
Following the recent outbreak in Australia, the federal government has decided to buy 130,000 doses of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine. The outbreak has so far killed two people and has spread to four states. Australia’s health minister Greg Hunt says the virus is a major health concern. He says these additional doses will complement the 15,000 doses that are already being distributed.
In the past, the disease has been detected in the northern parts of Australia, although it has not been recorded below Cape York. Vaccines for Australia are currently being developed to prevent the virus from spreading and causing illness.
