6th July 2009

Dear Member,

The Q fever register contains approximately 60,000 listed individuals with their Q fever status as well as over 270 organisations across Australia, which includes meat processing plants, medical practices, wildlife and livestock establishments and contractors.

Part of the recorded information confirms that almost 86% of individuals who have been tested returned a negative result and therefore had to be vaccinated against Q fever.

On Monday 27th April 2009 AMIC emailed to all processor members across Australiaa questionnaire regarding the use and benefits of the National Q fever register.

As of today’s date AMIC received 38 responses.

The following represents the combined answers received.

Q1Do you arrange for the testing, and if necessary, vaccination of your prospective employees?

Yes – 37No – 1 (company does not slaughter)

Q2Is your plant a registered user of the Q fever Register?

Yes – 26No – 12 (1 does not slaughter)

Q3If yes, how do you submit screening test and vaccination details to the Register?

Note: that 3 of the 4 in ‘Other’ stated that their medical centre sends the information to the register and one said they send it to Victorian Department of Health.

Q4What do you and your plant consider are the valuable aspects of the Q fever Register?

A4 1. Their history is there if you need to confirm if someone has already been immunised.

2. Checking on itinerate workers who lose or don’t care to keep their Q fever card.

3. Being able to find Q fever documentation for a previously vaccinated person prevents

unnecessary retesting.

4. Medical files are destroyed after 7 years, so having the database means having

access to documentation regardless of its age.

5. Easy to use and access.

6. One of the ways it assists our plant is by being able to check to see if prospective

employees are already on the register if they are unsure if they have been tested,

which is very useful. As well being able to submit employee test and vaccination

details.

7. The Q fever register does not provide the information that is required. Because of its

limitation the system requires the employer to enter the employee’s Q fever card

number into the system before any information can be obtained, and this is not always possible.

8. We require the new employee to obtain information from the Q fever register.

9. The only way we could use the register if we have a potential employee that claims to

be vaccinated but cannot produce evidence – i.e. card.

10. Very hard to get information as in most cases prospective employees do not have a

registration number.

11. The register has helped confirm new employees Q fever status if they have been

vaccinated elsewhere and lost their cards etc. We use cards issued by the Q fever

daily to confirm Q fever status of potential employees.

12. Having a central register that issues a nationally recognisable registration card for

ease of ascertaining whether or not an employee or prospective employee is already

vaccinated is of great value. If they have lost or misplaced their card it is useful if they can simply contact the register to issue a new card. Also when using contractors etc. on plant it is a benefit if they have a registration card to know they have been

vaccinated.

13. Do not use register, we are too small.

14. While we do not use it very often, I think it is important that there is a central record of Q fever vaccinations. It is often difficult to ascertain whether workers have been previously vaccinated, and would be next to impossible if records were only kept by

previous employers or the employee themselves.

  1. Immediate verification if person is on register, which allows immediate start and reduces cost of retest.
  2. Prospective employers can access records.
  3. Given the turnover of staff and associated expense of Q fever program it is valuable in alleviating the costs of undertaking the program for all new employees if they are listed as having undertaken Q fever testing/vaccination previously.
  4. Employees have been able to ring and get verification of their Q fever status faxed.
  5. Have not used yet but it will be most helpful as the Victorian Department of Human Services has discontinued their database.
  6. Ability to confirm vaccination.
  7. The ability for the doctor to know if someone has been vaccinated.
  8. Employees having a record of Q fever in the form of a credit card to keep in their wallet.
  9. Employers can request confirmation if they have basic information for prospective employees. Can also use as a tool to see where critical shortages based on number of Q fever vaccines are being given around the country.
  10. National recognition. Personal ID card (proof of Q fever status).
  11. Able to identify if someone has been/had Q fever (mainly new employees).
  12. To be able to check if prospective employees have been vaccinated. Often they have been tested but did not return for vaccination. The register offers proof of vaccination.
  13. This can save valuable time rather than trying to track down previous employers or doctors who may have moved on.
  14. We do not use the register. However, if previously vaccinated we require copy of the card.
  15. Identifying future staff. Ease of registration of employees.
  16. I have only used it once or twice to check someone’s Q fever status. Unless the person has their number, you are not able to get much out of it.
  17. Much easier when employing previous meat industry employees as well as re-employing our own.
  18. No real benefits to plant, just creates excessive paperwork.
  19. I have only just recently signed up and have not entered any information as yet.

Q5In what ways would the possible discontinuance of the register be detrimental to you and your plant?

A51. Loss of a readily accessible record of verification. Many people are unsure of whether

they have been vaccinated.

2. Would not be able to check Q fever status of itinerate workers.

3. Having to locate a person’s Q fever documentation from previous employers.

4. Rely on the previous workplace to get it back to you within a required time frame.

5. Manually locating files and documentation and possible loss of files.

6. We have never been a registered user of the register. We have never been in a

situation where we have not been able to employ someone who could not provide proof of their Q fever status.

7. I think the discontinuance of the register would be detrimental to our plant because I

believe some operators may decide not to continue to test and vaccinate their

prospective employees.

8. No affect. Checks are made with former employees and further pathology checks are

Made.

9. Minimal impact, we maintain our own database on site.

10. It would make confirming Q fever proof for people who have lost cards very difficult

and would slow the recruitment process for people working in high risk areas as we do

not start anyone in these areas until we have proof of Q fever status. It would also take up most of HR’s time tracking down status.

11. Without a registration card to determine their vaccination status it would necessitate the need to test all new employees regardless of whether or not they said that they had been vaccinated.

12. Without the register we would be required to test all workers in order to be completely sure that they have been vaccinated.

13. Delay in starting prospective employees resulting in lost production.

14. Increase costs by requiring testing prior to start.

15. Possibility of being vaccinated twice.

16. No records to check.

17. More time and allocated resources to carry out procedures.

18. The chance of people being vaccinated again, wasting time chasing employee status.

19. Difficulties would arise with obtaining confirmation of vaccination status.

20. Do not currently use register and its discontinuance would not be detrimental to the plant.

21. Would be unable to confirm vaccination if other record (card) was lost by prospective employee.

22. Inability to find out if someone has been vaccinated, which forces extra testing, resulting in extra costs, resulting in delay to employ person.

23. Would have to get prospective employees to find own proof, which takes time or some do not do it at all thus reducing intake of new employees.

24. Employee has no proof of vaccination. Therefore, will need to be retested, costing us time and money.

25. Need a centralised government operated system to maintain the potential hazard/risk.

26. The possibility of vaccinating or not vaccinating a prospective employee without confirmation of previous vaccination could lead to possible harm to that person.

27. Could lead to potential workers compensation claims if a new employee said that they had been vaccinated but had not.

28. Unable to monitor our workers and visitors safety.

29. I don’t think it would be that detrimental. Again it is only useful as long as you have the person’s actual Q fever number. Other personal information doesn’t allow you to enter the site.

30. The period prior to the introduction of the register remains an ongoing problem as many producers keep losing all records to people previously vaccinated. As the Health Department indicates that you cannot re-vaccinate a person it leaves such employees at risk, as is the case if a prospective employee states that they think they were previously vaccinated.

31. Discontinuance may see information lost (i.e. individual information details being accessed by other plants if employees move on.

Q6Do you consider that the Register is a necessary tool and should continue?

Note: One response said ‘sometimes’.

Comments:

  1. Although not necessarily for our company. A central register should be maintained for

the benefit of all those companies within the industry that have come to rely on it.

  1. Only if the information on the Q fever register is made accessible without restriction.
  2. If it were mandatory for all workers to be on the register.
  3. I believe the register would be of great value if it were made easier to use and if all practitioners were disciplined in registering people on it.
  4. We use the register weekly and I imagine that is similar industry wide. As many

employees move from employer to employer an industry wide database is necessary.

  1. You would be surprised on the amount of people not only in the meat industry that have no idea of the potential of Q fever.
  2. I feel that the continuation of the Register would benefit all people not just those in the Red Meat Industry.
  3. Yes, as it provides proof of vaccination.
  4. Very important part of the health of our workers and visitors in making sure they have been vaccinated.
  5. I believe it is a good tool to have for those people who work in the meat industry. If they lose their cards, then there is a check system in place, but again it is only useful to us as a company if we have the person’s actual register number.
  6. We all know the detrimental affects that the disease has on some individuals and by not having a register would certainly be a backward step in OH&S and risk management.
  7. Sometimes. Handy if employees on the move. Probably not a viable operation if only issuing Q fever vaccination cardsand not being utilised to full potential – Re: statistical data analysis.

Q7How should the Register be funded? Please indicate in order of preference (1,2,3 etc.)

Of the 38 surveys returned not all answered the question and some did not put more than one preference. The following represents the combined various answers:

Preference
Group / 1st / 2nd / 3rd
Federal Govt / 26 / 1 / 0
Red Meat Industry / 2 / 10 / 4
Incl. in cost of vaccine / 3 / 4 / 9

Comments received:

  1. A mix of all the above.
  2. If not fully funded by Government then possible subsidy by the Government and the meat industry (not just red meat).
  3. By workplaces that are registered users of the register.
  4. State Government contribution.
  5. Other industries (e.g. farmers etc.) everyone must be included.

Q8Do you have any suggestions as to how the Q fever Register may be improved?

A81. An immediate access facility would make entering data easier.

2. Maybe having a place to check prospective employees that are already on the register,

making it a little easier. Some don’t have records but have been tested and it can

become very frustrating to find old records.

3. No restriction to access.

4. If it were mandatory for all workers to be on the register.

5. Registered employers need access based on basic criteria, such as first name,

Surname and birthdate, as per similar government registers e.g. job network (JPO).

6. Be able to check people’s status online without the Q fever register number having to

be entered as you generally don’t have it if they have lost their card.

7. The ability/requirement that all providers of the vaccination to enter details on the register.

8. The ability of participating companies to be able to search if someone is on the register. (Then get the appropriate authority to access the details).

9. May have after I have used it for a while.

10. The doctors or clinics should send the relevant information to the register. It is far easier to do that at the point of vaccination rather than after the event.

11. Access for employer through name and date of birth alone without register number as people lose their cards and also forget if they have been tested.

12. Be able to look up a register to identify potential employee’s names on a list (operated via password).

13. People misplace their QF cards. Therefore, cannot remember their card number so it is difficult to access their information for a prospective employer. Access by date of birth could overcome this problem.

14. Already very easy to use.

15. Make the program a bit more user friendly and not necessarily having to have the person’s register number to gain access.

16. The register is a great concept although due to the privacy act gone wild it does make it difficult to add past vaccination details on ex-employees as well as gaining new employee details is at times difficult.

17. Easier access for employees wanting to check records if no other documentation provided (i.e. if employee has lost their card, but is adamant they have been vaccinated but unable to prove it). Employees unable to access without ID number and password (secret question).

Q9Do have any other general comments regarding Q fever and the Register?

A91. Because Q fever can be caught anywhere, due to the aerosol factor, it should be a

Federal Government cost, not thrust upon the industry.

2. It has always been a pleasure to contact the register when I am in need of further

information or assistance. The staff are always willing to help and I would like to take this opportunity to recognise them for all they have done. Thank you.

3. Due to the fact that Q fever is a rural community disease and not specifically a red

meat industry disease, the Federal Government should be maintaining the register

and providing free testing and vaccinations to all those living and working, or intending

on living and working, in rural Australia who request it.

4. We would definitely be interested in registering if it meant we were able to check the

status of new and existing employees, wherever they came from.

5. Large volume users, as in meat processors, should have greater assistance in having

their onsite nursing staff accredited to undertake the screenings and vaccinations.

Allowing a greater degree of control over all aspects of the process.

6. Smaller or single dose vaccination/screening. This would negate wastage and allow

greater flexibility.

7.It has been a big help to the participating companies, but with a lot of vaccinations being done by private practice there are a lot of people not on the register. There are a number of companies that have people vaccinated but do not enter on the register, this needs fixing. It is essential the register continues. Federal funding may help in requiring ALL vaccinations to be entered on the register.

8.OK as it is.

9.Investigate the subsidy program given to meat processing plants several years ago, especially considering the turnover of employees. Consideration also given to medicare rebate for individuals undertaking the program.

10. Q fever vaccinations must continue in the industry and the register is vital for data collection.

11. Recommend use of Adult vaccination card to document Q fever screening and vaccination.

12. In my opinion there must be an instrument that enables the medical fraternity to know if an employee has been vaccinated. From an employers perspective it is far more problematical to gain that information if there has been no agreement given by the employee.

13. We believe it would be very beneficial if the emphasis was on the doctors surgery to enter all people tested for Q fever as they have the first hand information and it can be hard to get this off them.

14. The Federal Government should put in place a system that identifies non-conformists and issue them a Corrective Action Request (CAR)so everyone complies.

15. We test all potential employees, unless a Q fever card is able to be shown. A Q fever register is kept at the plant.

16. As Q fever can be an illness which can lead to long term health problems, I feel it can only be of benefit to continue the register.

17. If the Q fever register was discontinued it could lead to workplaces not getting their workforce vaccinated against Q fever.

18. As it is a national register then it certainly should be funded by the federal government.

19. I will be bringing this up with senior management as it will save time and money for testing.

20. The card system is very good. Most recipients will produce card. I only use the system to log in vaccination details etc. for issuing of card. Not utilised for any other purpose.