Channel 7 addresses vaccine stance after Home and Away star Sam Frost refused Covid jab

The Seven Network says it “strongly encourages vaccination” for all staff after Home and Away star Sam Frost was criticised for refusing to get the Covid-19 jab.

The Seven Network has addressed questions about its vaccine stance amid controversy surrounding Home and Away star Sam Frost’s revelation that she is unvaccinated against Covid-19.

In a statement to Confidential on Sunday, a Channel 7 spokeswoman said the network “strongly encourages” vaccinations for its staff.

“Seven strongly encourages vaccination for all our people and all Seven productions strictly adhere to the public health Covid-19 safe protocols. All Home and Away cast and crew also undertake Covid-19 testing three times a week in addition to other preventative measures. Sam Frost continues to work on Home and Away and follows the safety protocols in place.”

Home and Away star Sam Frost was criticised for refusing the Covid-19 vaccination.

It comes after Frost, 32, deleted her Instagram account on Saturday after receiving backlash over an emotional video in which she defended her decision not to get the jab.

The former Bachelorette, who has openly battled depression, revealed she is struggling with mental health stemming from the “harsh judgement” and “segregation” that unvaccinated people are subjected to.

“I was really hesitant about even doing a video or speaking out about this sort of thing but I feel like it is getting to a point now in the world where there is a lot of segregation, there is a lot of harsh judgment and opinions being thrown around and it’s taking a toll on my mental health for sure,” Frost said on Instagram.

“I know people around me are struggling, particularly if they are on the side that they don’t want to get vaccinated for whatever reason. There are lots of different reasons why people are not getting vaccinated.

Frost plays Jasmine Delaney on the long-running soap.

“I am not vaccinated and there is a reason why I am not. There are a few reasons why I am not. I have spoken to my doctors and my psychiatrist about it. That’s my decision.”

Frost did not specify the reason behind her decision not to get vaccinated.

“It is a really hard time to be in society now and you feel like you are less of a human and you feel like people judge you and you are too scared to talk about your opinion or talk about your feelings,” she said.

“There are good reasons why I am not but I don’t want you to judge me.

“It is going to be a really hard time when the vaccinated are allowed out to do things ... and because I have made a choice. I think it is really important during that time for people like myself to look after their mental health.”

She made a plea for employers to be kinder and more forgiving of their unvaccinated staff.

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch reportedly won’t have their makeup done by unvaccinated staff. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I guess for me I was thinking about what I would want someone to say and what I wish leadership would look like in this country,” she said. “And what I wish employees would say to their employees I wish they would say, “you still matter and you are valued and you are not less intelligent or worthy or anything because you have made a choice about your body. “I wish there were more people that made us feel like we were less alone. “I don’t know if I will get into trouble for saying I am not vaccinated, which is insane, but if I do I hope at least this has helped someone who is in the same position as me who feels really lonely right now.”

Conflicting views on Covid-19 vaccinations among staff are apparent as last month, The Australian reported that the team at breakfast show Sunrise has refused to work with unvaccinated staff.

Hosts David Koch, Natalie Barr and Edwina Bartholomew, along with the show’s executive producer Michael Pell, are all fully vaccinated and have reportedly refused to have their hair and make-up done by anyone who is not vaccinated.

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Originally published as Channel 7 addresses vaccine stance after Home and Away star Sam Frost refused Covid jab