Dr Annett's understanding of the restriction on influenza vaccine is correct - only those individuals who are themselves at special risk of adverse consequences from infections of the lower respiratory tract are eligible for subsidy under the PBS.
Certainly, use in healthcare workers who are contacts of high risk patients is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council immunisation guidelines. However, subsidy of the influenza vaccine for this occupation-related indication is not covered by the Commonwealth, but by decisions made at the state, territory or employer level. For example, in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) public hospitals will cover the cost of vaccinating their own health workers who want it, nursing home owners provide the same for their staff, while the ACT Health Department operates a program to supply the vaccine free of charge to staff working in general practice. In summary, the subsidy of influenza vaccine for an individual patient at risk is covered by the PBS, while for healthcare workers the subsidy is a matter for their employer.
