Review finds hundreds of health workers ignored non-Covid vaccine mandate without penalty

A review has found more than 1000 SA Health workers were “uncategorised” on their mandatory vaccination status for diseases other than Covid.

More than 1000 SA Health staff in the southern area alone were “Uncategorised” regarding their vaccination status for the mandatory dTpa booster against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, documents released under Freedom of Information show.

The figures for the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network which includes Flinders Medical Centre and Noarlunga Hospital were released as a review into mandatory Covid vaccination for health staff remains a work in progress.

Critics of SA Health’s mandatory vaccination policy who sought the information say officials were quick to crack down on staff who refused the Covid vaccination compared to those who are yet to get the dTpa booster shot.

Information released to The Advertiser shows while more than 230 SA Health staff have been sacked since October 2021 for refusing the Covid-19 vaccination, only one has been terminated for refusing the similarly mandated dTpa vaccine booster.

SA Health says local health networks are responsible for ensuring staff comply with vaccination requirements and notes “appropriate disciplinary action may be taken if staff remain non-compliant, which could include suspension or termination of employment.”

The FOI data comes as a review into the mandatory Covid vaccination policy remains ongoing.

Health Minister Chris Picton ordered the review in January after some interstate jurisdictions dropped the requirement.

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier released a statement to The Advertiser saying: “SA Health has a comprehensive vaccination policy that covers the Covid-19 vaccine and other vaccines to ensure we meet our obligations from an occupational health and safety perspective.

“A review into the Covid-19 vaccine requirements for our staff is currently underway.”

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said SA Health had a comprehensive vaccination policy to ensure it met health and worksaftey obligations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

SA Health has had a mandatory vaccination policy for staff since November 1, 2021.

Since then, 235 permanent SA Health employees have been terminated due to noncompliance with the Covid shots, while about 400 staff previously on absences have been redeployed to other roles.

While the review continues, independent MLC Frank Pangallo says a landmark court ruling in Queensland in favour of government workers – including police and health staff sacked for refusing Covid-19 vaccines – “opens a can of worms.”

Frank Pangallo called on the government to lift vaccination mandates. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

He called on the government to immediately lift mandates and for public servants sacked for refusing to be vaccinated to be reinstated and compensated for economic losses.

“This includes the more than 230 SA Health staff who have been axed over the past three years for refusing to get vaccinated,” he said.

“All affected workers either need to be compensated or get their jobs back.

“While I supported vaccines, I always said people should not be forced to be medicated by governments and had a right to refuse them.”