SA Health set to dump mandatory Covid vaccinations, to consult staff on changes

SA Health is set to dump mandatory Covid vaccinations for staff, with the state’s top doctor saying the state now had a “hybrid immunity”.

SA Health is set to remove mandatory Covid vaccinations for employees who work with patients and will consult its more-than 40,000 staff about the move.

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said SA was now benefiting from a “hybrid immunity” to Covid and it was time to consult staff about the change.

The state’s mandatory vaccination rules sparked one high-profile Supreme Court challenge including nurse and AFLW footballer Deni Varnhagen.

Under SA Health’s current policy, Category A and B workers are required to have at least two doses of an approved Covid vaccination to work in patient-facing roles.

Under the proposed changes, staff would be exempt if they signed a declaration acknowledging they had been advised of the proven benefits of Covid vaccinations – and their active decision to forgo its benefits.

Staff are still strongly encouraged to get the Covid jab.

“With South Australians now benefiting from the hybrid immunity to Covid through immunisation and past protections, we believe the time is right to consult on changes to our current mandatory vaccination policy,” Professor Spurrier said.

South Australian Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“My understanding is that we will be the only state that requires an active refusal declaration.

“We’re going out for consultation. We’ve got a large number of staff and it’s important that we hear what staff have to say in this regard and what we’re intending to do is to consult on a different option.

“If people are wanting to work with us and they have not had a Covid vaccine and they don’t want to have a Covid vaccine, then the alternative will be to sign a declaration form.

“If adopted, staff members who choose not to take this simple step to protect themselves and others must make an active choice to not be vaccinated and sign a declaration as such.”

SA Health staff will have until May 10 to share their views.

Ms Varnhagen refused the Covid vaccination as both an AFLW Crows player and nurse, and took part in a failed Supreme Court challenge against SA’s mandatory Covid vaccinations for emergency workers.

That mandate no longer existed, and had been overtaken by new laws, by the time the repeatedly delayed case made it to trial.

SA Health has also reminded people due for Covid boosters they can receive a flu vaccine at the same time.

As SA braces for the 2024 flu season, there have already been 1921 notified cases of influenza compared with 1255 at the same time last year.

Prof Spurrier said 600,000 at-risk South Australians will soon be eligible for a free influenza vaccine, while all shack owners along the River Murray will have access to free Japanese Encephalitis Virus vaccines – one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases in the state.

Prof Spurrier urged South Australians to get vaccinated, saying “prevention is much better than a cure”.

“The best protection is always prevention, whether it’s the flu, Covid or mosquito-borne diseases,” Prof Spurrier said.

“With flu doses now delivered, we strongly encourage everyone to contact their GP or immunisation provider to arrange to get their vaccine dose to help protect themselves, their family and the community.”

All providers in South Australia who have ordered flu vaccines have now received their stock to offer – with eligible people able to obtain their vaccine through GPs, Aboriginal health services, participating pharmacies and some local council and community clinics.