Covid vaccine Qld: Mandate for health staff as 13.5k unprotected

The State Government has moved to mandate vaccination of health workers amid revelations thousands are still unprotected.

Thousands of unvaccinated Queensland Health workers who care for patients will have just weeks to get their first Covid-19 jab.

The Sunday Mail can reveal about 13,500 of Queensland Health’s hospital-based workforce remain unvaccinated, prompting the State Government to mandate the jab.

Staff who care for patients will be required to get their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by September 30 and be fully vaccinated by the end of October.

About 85 per cent of Queensland Health’s 90,000-strong hospital-based workforce have already received at least their first shot, with the mandate aiming to ensure the remainder will be immunised within two months.

It is understood people who do not get vaccinated will be treated on a case-by-case basis, with the government unable to detail the consequences.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the mandate was common sense considering the increased risk faced by health staff.

“The vast majority of our staff are already partly or completely vaccinated, so it shouldn’t take too long to protect the remaining staff,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath yesterday. Picture: Annette Dew

“With the deadly Delta strain devastating NSW, it’s only a matter of time before we see more outbreaks here in Queensland.

“Our hospital staff who provide care to patients are at the frontline.

“We must be prepared.”

In June an unvaccinated health staffer tested positive while working outside the Covid-19 ward of The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane’s north and sparked a snap South East Queensland lockdown.

A review into the incident recommended that all Health staff should be vaccinated as a priority.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath acknowledged that vaccination was a personal choice and that some staff may not wish to be vaccinated.

“Our approach is to find out why staff may decline to be vaccinated and explore whether there is any additional information or support that can be provided to enable them to be vaccinated,” she said.

“In some circumstances staff may be unable to be vaccinated for a medical reason, we will work with these staff to explore alternative options to keep them and our workplaces safe.”