Decision on Far North nurse Heidi Slykerman’s attempt to avoid vaccine directive over religious beliefs

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission has decided an appeal from a Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service youth health nurse who sought a Covid vaccination exemption because of her religious beliefs.

A TORRES and Cape Hospital and Health Service youth health nurse who sought a Covid vaccination exemption because of her religious beliefs has lost an appeal before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

Heidi Slykerman, who is employed as a school-based youth health nurse, applied for a vaccine exemption on September 26, 2021.

The Commission heard Ms Slykerman was a practising Christian and member of the Baptist Church.

Ms Slykerman’s application for exemption was accompanied by a personal letter setting out that her Christian faith did not condone abortion, and that an asserted association between the vaccines and a product known as “MRC-5” meant that she could not take any of the vaccines available at the time of her application.

Her application was accompanied by a letter from Pastor Morgan Slykerman, her husband, and the leader of the Cooktown Baptist Church, confirming Ms Slykerman’s beliefs were consistent with those of the church.

Upon receiving a decision to reject her application for religious exemption, Ms Slykerman sought an internal review.

Six days later the person conducting the review informed Ms Slykerman the decision would not be changing and that the exemption request was considered in detail against the requirements of the (vaccine) directive.

In considering the appeal, the Commission noted “a fundamental disconnect in the opinions of the parties with respect to the efficacy of the vaccines”.

Preparation of Covid-19 vaccines. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“It is important to note that Ms Slykerman’s concerns about the rejection of her religious exemption are intertwined with her views about the efficacy of vaccines,” the commission said in its decision.

“That is, Ms Slykerman does not accept the proposition (relied on by the Health Service) that the vaccines have been shown to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Consequently, she considers there is no compelling reason to refuse her application for a religious exemption.”

But the commission also noted Ms Slykerman’s understanding of the reason for her rejection where she said: “It was merely stated that the risks to patients, colleagues and other key stakeholders superseded my religious beliefs”.

“Ms Slykerman’s true complaint is not that her religious beliefs have not been recognised,” the Commission said.

“It is that they have not been given the degree of recognition that she thinks they deserve.”

The Commission said it was satisfied Ms Slykerman’s religious beliefs were properly considered by the decision maker and that regardless of their sincerity, prioritising the health and safety of Ms Slykerman’s colleagues and her community was reasonable in the circumstances.

The Commission confirmed the original decision to refuse Ms Slykerman a vaccine exemption.

Originally published as Decision on Far North nurse Heidi Slykerman’s attempt to avoid vaccine directive over religious beliefs