CANNING VALE PLAYGROUP
IMMUNISATION & INFECTIOUS DISEASES GUIDELINES

IMMUNISATION

All Children attending Canning Vale Playgroup must be immunised as per the National Immunisation Program Schedule or provide a Dr’s letter of why they are not. This is for the safety not only of all the children but the parents as well, as we have many parents that at some stage will be attending playgroup pregnant and will be at Risk.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

The following Infectious Diseases summary is provided for the information of parents and how long they need to be excluded from playgroup.
Chicken Pox – exclude from playgroup for at least 5 days after the rash appears and until the vesicles (i.e. rash) have formed crusts. Some remaining scabs/crusts do not justify continued exclusion.
Conjunctivitis – exclude from playgroup until discharge from the eyes has ceased. Refer to doctor for antibiotic eye treatment.
COVID-19 – Exclude from playgroup and advised to stay at home for at least 5 days and until acute symptoms (e.g. fever, sore throat, runny nose) have resolved.

Diarrhoea – exclude from playgroup until 24 hours after diarrhoea has ceased.

Gastroenteritis – exclude from playgroup until at least 48 hrs after all diarrhoea & vomiting has ceased, and practice extreme caution with washing of hands after visiting toilet as it can remain in stool for up to 2 weeks after cessation of symptoms.

Glandular Fever – do not exclude unless unwell, but encourage good hygiene practices.

Hand, Foot and Mouth disease – exclude from playgroup until all blisters have formed crusts, are dry and no longer weeping.

Head Lice (Nits) (Pediculosis) – exclude from playgroup until after treatment has
commenced and live lice have been removed. Family contacts will probably be infected and should be treated as well.
Hepatitis A – exclude from playgroup for at least 1 week after onset of jaundice or 2 weeks after onset of symptoms (if not jaundiced).
Hepatitis B – do not exclude.
Hepatitis C – do not exclude.

Herpes Simplex (Cold Sores) – young children unable to comply with good oral
hygiene practices should be excluded until the sores are dry. Where possible, lesions should be covered by a dressing.
HIV – do not exclude.
Impetigo (School Sores) – exclude from playgroup until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has commenced. Exposed lesions should be covered with a waterproof dressing. Young children unable to comply with good hygiene practices should be excluded until the sores are dry.

Influenza like illness (flu) including Common Cold – exclude from playgroup, get tested for
COVID-19 as symptoms is similar and isolate at home until they have received a negative result
Re-admit upon recovery. Influenzae type b exclude until antibiotics treatment completed.

Measles – exclude from playgroup for 4 days after the onset of the rash in consultation.

Meningococcal – exclude from playgroup until antibiotic treatment has been completed.

Molluscum contagiosum – do not exclude.

MRSA infection – Exclude for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment commenced. Any lesions on exposed
skin should be covered with a waterproof dressing.

Mumps – exclude from playgroup for 5 days after onset of symptoms. Consult with Dr.

Norovirus – Exclude until asymptomatic for 24 hours. Exclude until asymptomatic for 48 hours
if case is high-risk

Parvovirus B19 – do not exclude
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) – exclude from playgroup

• 5 days after an appropriate antibiotic treatment, or
• 21 days from the onset of any cough, or
• 14 days after onset of paroxysmal cough.

Pinworm – do not exclude

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Exclude until symptoms resolve.
Ringworm – exclude from playgroup until receiving antifungal treatment for 24 hours.
Rotavirus – Exclude until asymptomatic for 24 hours. Exclude until asymptomatic for 48 hours if case is high risk.
Roundworm (ascariasis) – Exclusion not usually necessary but if there is diarrhoea, exclude for 24 hours after diarrhoea has ceased. Exclude for 48 hours after diarrhoea has ceased if ill person is a high-risk case
Rubella (German Measles) – exclude from playgroup for 4 days after onset of rash.
Contacts do not need to be excluded but refer pregnant contacts to their doctor.
Scabies – exclude from playgroup until the day after treatment has commenced. Family contacts will probably be infested and should be treated.

Shingle – Exclude if rash is uncovered and weeping.
Streptococcal infections – exclude from playgroup until 24 hours after commencement of Antibiotics.
Tetanus – Do not exclude
Tuberculosis – Determined by the WA Tuberculosis Control Program Team.
Typhoid/Paratyphoid Fever – Contact your local public health staff for exclusion advice, including whether clearance testing is required.
Warts – do not exclude
Whipworm (Trichiuriasis) – Exclusion not usually necessary but if there is diarrhoea, exclude for 24 hours after diarrhoea has ceased. Exclude for 48 hours after diarrhoea has ceased if ill person is a high-risk case

PARENTS ARE ASKED TO NOTIFY THE PLAYGROUP IMMEDIATELY WHEN DIAGNOSIS IS CONFIRMED BY THEIR FAMILY DOCTOR.

Unimmunised children should be excluded until 14 days after the first day of
appearance of the rash in the last case identified in the playgroup, unless contact was immunised within 72 hours of first exposure.

Public health units in Western Australia Perth – Metropolitan region ……………… 1300 62 32 92

Taken from “Communicable Disease Guidelines”, Department of Health, 2023 Edition