Queensland Health, Ambulance staff no longer need Covid vaccine

Queensland Health and Ambulance employees will no longer need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 from Monday.

Employees of Queensland Health and Queensland Ambulance Service will no longer need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 from Monday.

The decision to remove the vaccine mandate is informed by the latest health advice and follows consultation with staff, patient advocacy groups, and unions, Queensland Health Acting Director General Michael Walsh told The Courier-Mail.

“It’s important to remember that vaccination remains our best protection against Covid-19 and other infectious diseases. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated or remain up to date with their vaccinations so as to keep themselves, their loved ones and the community safe,” he said.

Queensland Health Acting Director-General Michael Walsh. Picture: Adam Head

Mr Walsh said the requirement was always intended to be a temporary safeguard when it was introduced in September 2021.

“It was a response to a unique set of circumstances, particularly a recommendation by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation that healthcare workers, as a high-risk group, be vaccinated against Covid-19.

“Additionally, the pandemic was overwhelming hospitals worldwide, Queensland had already experienced a series of clusters and waves, due to emerging variants, our Covid-19 vaccination rate was low, and our borders were about to open.

“Covid-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency, our vaccination rate has increased significantly, and society is accustomed to living with the disease,” he said.

“Mandate or not, we remain committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and the broader community against all infectious diseases. Our health facilities have in place stringent infection control measures including hand hygiene practices, regular sanitising of patient areas, the use of appropriately fitted PPE and training.”

The health boss said that some employees were still subject to disciplinary action for failing to follow a reasonable direction and the departments is dealing with these matters on a case-by-case basis.

“I would like to thank our wonderful staff for not only complying with an important direction, but also their dedication and resilience during the most disruptive health emergency in living memory,” he said

More than 1000 healthcare staff have left the workforce due to the mandate.