Hamilton Island considers vaccination mandate as hub set up

Tropical tourism destination Hamilton Island could soon face a staff shortage as its top boss says it is “essential all employees are fully vaccinated”.

Hamilton Island’s top boss says vaccination against Covid-19 is being considered as a condition of employment at the tropical tourism destination which could soon face a staff shortage.

A vaccination hub opened at the island’s conference centre for the weekend after the Hamilton Island Executive Team released a statement online saying it considered it “essential for all Hamilton Island employees to be fully vaccinated”.

The island’s CEO Glenn Bourke reinforced the sentiment.

He said while vaccination against Covid-19 wasn’t yet mandated, it was strongly encouraged and his team was closely watching developments in the national tourism sector and latest health advice.

“In the months ahead, vaccinations will be essential to protecting the health and safety of our staff, residents, and guests and help us return to a normal life on the Island,” Mr Bourke said.

“It’s also the pathway to getting the tourism industry and the hundreds of thousands of people it employs in Queensland, back on their feet.”

Hamilton Island. Photo: File/ Kara Rosenlund

News of the vaccination being considered essential received mixed responses online but Mr Bourke said staff and resident demand for appointments had been overwhelming.

More than 660 staff and residents received a vaccination at the weekend and Mr Bourke was optimistic that the majority of staff would opt to be vaccinated.

A vaccination hub opened at Hamilton Island’s conference centre for the weekend

“While we’re not mandating it yet, we’re strongly encouraging it,” he said.

“It’ll help protect each team member, plus our guests and residents and get tourism in Queensland back to normal.”

Border closures and travel restrictions have shaken the 1100-strong workforce on the island.

“The impact of border closures on staff recruitment will be a problem soon,” Mr Bourke said.

“We’re about to start a recruitment drive, yet we’ll be unable to recruit from New South Wales or Victoria, which is likely to make it difficult.”

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Covid-19 vaccination rollout lead Julie Rampton said a roaming team of vaccinators visited Hayman Island last week and vaccinated 228 staff and residents.

“The residents were extremely grateful the team was on the island and kept thanking our staff for attending,” she said.

A vaccination hub opened at Hamilton Island’s conference centre for the weekend

Ms Rampton said it was important that people attended their vaccine appointments

Mackay HHS has enough vaccine for other island residents who are yet to register for their vaccination, as well as for second doses.

“Mackay HHS has enough vaccine for other island residents who are yet to register for their vaccination, as well as for second doses,” Ms Rampton said.

A date is yet to be set for a follow-up clinic.

The Hamilton Island Pharmacy is also administering AstraZeneca and Atticus Health medical centre on the Island will soon be accredited to administer Pfizer.