摘要：Outbreaks of Q fever continue to be recorded in abattoirs despite a protective vaccine beingavailable. All accredited abattoirs in Queensland were surveyed to ascertain the number thatconducted Q fever vaccination programs. Only ten of the 30 abattoirs had vaccination pro-grams. Vaccination programs were present at all abattoirs with more than 360 employees.Thirty-seven per cent of abattoir employees worked at abattoirs that did not have vaccinationprograms. Research is r equired into the attitudes and barriers to vaccination at smallerabattoirs so that vaccination coverage can be increased. Economic data, including litigationcosts, should be considered in a cost-effectiveness study so that smaller abattoirs appreciatethe be nefits of im plem enting vacc ination program s. T he pr otoco ls for va ccination of newemployees should be analysed for their capacity to provide appropriate worker coverage.Abattoir workers are a readily identifiable at-risk group who should be fully protected fromthis occu pational disease. It is the responsibility of industry and health authorities to ensureall workers are appropriately protected
