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Catholic Health Australia, the peak advisory body for not-for-profit hospitals and aged care, says the mandatory vaccination of health workers against COVD-19 is essential if we are to protect them and the health system in the face of increasing pressure in the coming weeks.
CHA today welcomed the news that Tasmania had joined New South Wales and Western Australia in mandating vaccines for health care workers. It is now urging Victoria and Queensland to not delay any longer and follow suit.
CHA Director of Health Policy James Kemp said: “Vaccinating health care workers is critical to serving the public interest, saving the lives and preserving the health of Australians during this difficult time.
“We are in a pandemic the likes of which we have never seen before. The fast-moving Delta strain is placing an enormous burden on the hospital system and has created a health emergency.
“People that come to our hospitals and aged care services expect to be cared for in an environment that is safe and of minimal risk to their health. Central to that is the need to vaccinate our workforce against COVID – this protects the vulnerable people we care for from harm.
“Socially responsible employers must always balance the interests of their employees and the people they serve.
“While we recognise the right of individuals to not want to be vaccinated, they too must accept that vaccination must be a condition of working in a health care or aged care setting, so we can fulfil our duty to keep staff, patients and the entire community safe.”
“The COVID-19 vaccine joins a number of vaccines that health care workers are already required to get – such as vaccinations for the flu, measles and for tuberculosis.”
