Victoria’s peak farming body wants Q Fever vaccines subsidised for livestock workers under the federal government’s pharmaceutical benefits scheme.
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The $400 vaccine is recommended for people who work with livestock, including on farms, abattoirs and in transport.
Victorian Farmer’s Federation livestock manager David Picker said Q Fever vaccinations were essential for the serious illness.
“Following the vaccination program that was previously run, a generation has missed the education and the awareness of the Q Fever issue,” he said.
“We would like it on the PBS to make it affordable.”
The federation has run an ad campaign this week urging farmers to be aware of Q Fever risks, including the claim the disease was spreading and had seen a surge in cases across Australia.
However in Victoria there were less cases of Q Fever to date in 2017, when compared to the same period last year.
There were nine cases recorded between January and September 19, compared to 33 for the same time in 2016.
That was when incidents of the fever peaked, after the same period in 2015 saw 32 cases reported, while there only 19 in 2014.
Victorian Health Department spokesperson Bram Alexander said there had been a lot of work done to make people aware of the need for vaccinations.
“It is a requirement under OH&S for operators of abattoirs to make sure their staff are screened for Q Fever,” he said.
“We have also said people who are livestock transporters or shearers, basically people in close contact on a regular basis with stock should consider vaccinations.”
Mr Alexander said there was a minimal risk to the general population, including those living near livestock yards, abattoirs and farms.
“In terms of cases attributed to people in the general population, we don’t see many of those, if any at all,” he said.
“Cases are usually related to occupational exposure.”
Workers must be tested to see if they have had the fever before they receive a vaccine, because it can cause an adverse reaction.
It is also not suitable for people under the age of 15.
Mr Picker said so far the federal government had refused to include the vaccine on the PBS.
“The National Party and Barnaby Joyce have not been receptive yet, because they say the onus is on the employers to get their workers vaccinated,” he said.