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Pathology, laboratory and first responders

For pathology collectors, laboratory scientists, paramedics, fire and rescue, and police

Book your appointment Call (03) 9364 7133

Roles with potential exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious specimens or volatile environments share a common occupational vaccination baseline — with hepatitis B as the centrepiece. Specific roles add further vaccines depending on the work environment.

This page covers pathology collectors, medical laboratory scientists and technicians, paramedics and ambulance officers, fire and rescue workers, and Victoria Police members. The Australian Immunisation Handbook occupational chapter sets the framework; specific employer policies and Worksafe duty of care apply on top.

The schedule

What you need to demonstrate

Listed as immunity to demonstrate, not shots to receive — many adults have evidence of immunity already (from childhood vaccination, prior serology or AIR records) and need only the gaps filled.

Required

Hepatitis B
Three-dose course (0, 1, 6 months) with post-vaccination serology showing anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL. The defining occupational vaccine for any role with potential blood or specimen exposure.
Annual influenza vaccination
Recommended for all and mandatory for paramedics under the Victorian Secretary Direction (paramedics are specified healthcare workers). Single dose per season.

Strongly recommended

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
Two documented doses or serology. Important across all these roles — outbreak response, patient transport, scene attendance.
Varicella
Two doses or serology. Same rationale as MMR.
Whooping cough (dTpa)
Single adult dose every 10 years. Particularly relevant for paramedics transporting newborns and at-risk patients.
COVID-19
Strongly recommended by ATAGI for first responders. Employer policy may apply (most ambulance services and fire-rescue maintain it).
Hepatitis A
Recommended for first responders with potential exposure to contaminated environments or wastewater.
Tetanus (as part of dTpa) and Japanese encephalitis
Specific roles may need additional vaccines — discuss with your immuniser based on the work environment.

Legal basis

The Australian Immunisation Handbook occupational chapter is the primary source for these roles. Paramedics in Victoria are specified healthcare workers under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act — annual influenza vaccination is therefore mandatory by 15 August each year. Pathology providers, laboratory employers, fire-rescue services and Victoria Police maintain their own workforce immunisation policies on top of the Handbook recommendations. Worksafe Victoria OHS Act 2004 duty of care applies to all.

COVID-19 status (Victoria, October 2025)

The Victorian Secretary Direction for COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare-worker settings was revoked in October 2025. Paramedics continue to be strongly recommended COVID-19 currency under ATAGI advice; ambulance services typically maintain a workforce policy requirement.

Proof of vaccination

What your employer needs to see

For every occupational requirement above, the accepted proof in Victoria is the same single document: your AIR Immunisation History Statement. You download it yourself and provide it to your employer — they do not access the Australian Immunisation Register directly.

1
Sign in to myGov
Visit my.gov.au and sign in (or create an account). Link the Medicare service if it isn't already linked.
2
Open the Australian Immunisation Register
From the Medicare service menu, open Immunisation history. Or download the Medicare Express Plus app and find the same screen there.
3
Download the Immunisation History Statement (PDF)
Click "View immunisation history statement" — a PDF generates with every dose, batch number, date and provider. Send this to your employer.

Step-by-step screenshots are on the AIR record helper page. Every dose we administer is submitted to the AIR within 24 hours.

Ready to bring your record up to date?

Walk in, or book a guaranteed time online via Priceline's booking system.

Book online Call (03) 9364 7133

Scope boundary

What we do in one visit, what we refer

We're honest about where the pharmacy scope ends. Some checks (e.g. serology blood tests, post-exposure prophylaxis) need a GP, pathology service or hospital — and we'll tell you that on the day.

In one visit at our clinic

Hepatitis B course (three doses at 0, 1, 6 months).
Annual flu, MMR catch-up (free for adults 20–59 in VIC), dTpa, varicella, hepatitis A and COVID-19 — single appointment where possible.
Combined hepatitis A + B vaccine (3 doses) — useful where both are recommended.
Recording overseas vaccinations on the AIR ($25 service fee).

Referred elsewhere

Anti-HBs serology blood test — your GP or pathology collection centre.
Post-exposure prophylaxis after a needlestick or splash — your employer's occupational health service or emergency department, NOT routine vaccination.
Specific environmental-exposure assessments (Japanese encephalitis for outdoor postings, etc.) — discuss with your employer's safety advisor.

Common questions

FAQs about pathology, lab & first responders vaccinations

I'm a phlebotomist starting next week — what do I need?

Hepatitis B is the priority. If you don't have a documented three-dose course with serology, start the course immediately. Your employer will likely also ask for current flu, MMR and dTpa.

My anti-HBs serology was done 15 years ago — do I need to repeat it?

Current ATAGI advice is that a documented anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL is considered evidence of lifelong protection in most cases. Bring whatever record you have; we can advise.

I'm a paramedic — is the flu shot mandatory for me?

Yes. Paramedics are specified healthcare workers under the Victorian Secretary Direction. Seasonal influenza vaccination must be current by 15 August each year.

I had a needlestick last week — do I need post-exposure vaccines?

Don't come to us first — see your employer's occupational health service or the nearest emergency department immediately for post-exposure assessment. Post-exposure prophylaxis is time-critical and outside routine vaccination scope.

Sources and further reading

General information only — not personal medical advice. Vaccines are described by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Your AHPRA-registered immuniser confirms what applies to you at the pre-vaccination screening.

Book your pathology, lab & first responders appointment

Bring your AIR statement and any past records — we'll fill the gaps in one visit where we can.

Book online via Priceline Call (03) 9364 7133

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