Union says SA nurses fear ‘job insecurity’ if they refuse to have Covid-19 jab

Nurses who don’t want the Covid-19 vaccine are getting jabbed because they fear repercussions for their jobs, the nurses’ union says.

Nurses who do not want the Covid-19 vaccine have come under pressure from SA Health management and are getting jabbed because they fear repercussions, the nurses’ union says.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s SA branch has written to SA Health to “raise the concerns of members who have elected not to have a Covid-19 vaccination”.

In the letter, secretary Elizabeth Dabars says the ANMF is a “strong supporter” of vaccination and has encouraged members to get jabbed as soon as possible.

But she said the federation recognises some employees may not be able or willing to have the vaccine for reasons including medical risks or other perceived risks.

The letter goes on to say members have reported feeling pressured by management and are “having the vaccine through fear of job insecurity if they refuse”.

“The ANMF does not tolerate bullying of any kind,” it says.

Ms Dabars, pictured, urged SA Health to advise line managers that employees have the right not to participate in vaccination programs.

Under health department policy, the Covid-19 vaccine is not mandatory.

However, State Emergency Co-ordinator Grant Stevens has signed off on directions that will require all workers in red zones – which include some hospital wards, airports and medi-hotels – to have their first vaccination by August 4, or they won’t be eligible to work in a red zone.

It comes as it was revealed on the weekend that little more than a third of the state’s ambulance workforce has been fully vaccinated.

SA Health Minister Stephen Wade made the revelation to a parliamentary committee during an estimates sitting.

“I am advised that 35 per cent of SA Ambulance staff are fully vaccinated,” Mr Wade said, responding to a question from the Opposition’s Chris Picton.

Mr Wade added it was his understanding that 41 per cent were partially vaccinated.

When asked if he was “concerned that 59 per cent of SA Ambulance workers have not had even one vaccine”, he responded: “As the premier has repeatedly said, we want all South Australians to be vaccinated.

“I know that (the) South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) is continuing to offer vaccinations to its employees.

“I am confident that they will continue to work with their employees to provide opportunities to be vaccinated.”

Little more than a third of the state’s ambulance workforce has been fully vaccinated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

In terms of SA Health statewide, Mr Wade said rates varied between local health networks, with the lowest rates at the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network.

“It varies between 47 per cent and 82 per cent,” he said.

Mr Wade also revealed 15 per cent of the state’s medi-hotel private security guards remained fully or partially unvaccinated, which sparked an angry response from Mr Picton.

“Why, when we are now many months since the vaccine program started … do we still have 17 per cent or approximately 170 staff who work in our high-risk medi-hotel environment who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated?” Mr Picton asked.

SA Health said the new policy would significantly reduce the chance of further outbreaks within the community.

“We also have occupational, health and safety responsibilities for our staff and need to ensure they are provided with individual protection against infectious diseases,” a statement said.

“Finally, (there are) many healthcare workers who are in close contact with some of our most vulnerable patients, including those with chronic disease or who have compromised immune systems and who may not be able to mount an effective immune response if exposed to the virus.”

Three new cases of Covid-19 were detected in SA on Sunday. They are a man and a woman, both in their 30s, and a child, who have all been in a medi-hotel since arriving from overseas.