- NSW Health would like to emphasise the importance of continuing to immunise children against other infectious diseases in the context of COVID-19.
- Now more than ever, it is important to maintain high vaccination coverage levels to prevent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in the community.
- Immunisation providers including general practice, community health and council run clinics should continue to offer immunisation services with enhanced infection control measures. This includes:
- Enhance hygiene practices for staff, children and visitors. Washing hands frequently is the single most effective way to reduce the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease. Alcohol-based hand gel is a suitable alternative if used and stored safely around children.
- Ensure robust routine environmental cleaning procedures are in place. A chlorine based product such as sodium hypochlorite is the recommended solution for disinfection.
- Implement measures to reduce the number of people in the waiting room e.g. appointment system for vaccinations .
- Encourage social distancing (1.5m separation) in the waiting room as much as possible.
- Immunisation providers are usually recommended to vaccinate children who have minor illnesses (without acute systemic symptoms/signs). In the setting of the COVID-19 outbreak, immunisation providers should consider deferring routine immunisations for children with respiratory symptoms.
For further information please visit the NSW Health COVID-19 webpage https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx