Covid boosters to be mandated for NSW teachers, school staff

Teachers are set to be legally required to have a third dose of a Covid vaccine. See when new public health orders are expected to be rolled out.

NSW Teachers are set to face strict booster mandates after Education Minister Sarah Mitchell revealed all school-based staff would be required to have a third dose of Covid vaccination.

Ms Mitchell told the Upper House vaccinations were a “core part of the Department of Education’s Covid-smart strategies”, revealing the department was awaiting the approval of a new public health order to mandate booster doses by Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

Teachers and school-staff across the state will soon be required through government mandate to have a third dose of a Covid vaccine to work in our schools. (AAP IMAGE / Angelo Velardo)

Mr Hazzard revealed to NewsLocal an assessment of requirements for the public health order was being conducted by NSW Health, “with a decision to be made shortly”.

“The updated public health orders for teachers are currently under consideration,” he said.

Mr Hazzard said there was no determined date for when the new Public Health Order, which would be mandated to all school-staff would be signed.

However, government sources suggest a decision could be made in a matter of weeks.

Ms Mitchell said vaccinations — including soon-to-be mandated booster doses — would work alongside “masks, cohorting, physical distancing, ventilation, rapid antigen testing, hygiene and cleaning” to reduce the risk of transmission in schools.

A booster dose will be required for all school staff. Picture: Tony McDonough / NCA NewsWire

“Current ATAGI advice recommends a booster dose from three months after the initial course of the vaccine to be considered ‘up to date’ with vaccination,” she said.

“This requirement will become mandated upon the signing of an updated Public Health Order. “As with the initial vaccine mandate, the Department will ensure staff have sufficient time to obtain their booster and update their records, and some staff may be exempt from the vaccination requirement if they have a specific medical condition.”

Minister Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell. (AAP IMAGE / Angelo Velardo)

Shadow Education spokeswoman Prue Car called for clarity on vaccination requirements for school staff.

“It’s now halfway through Term one and NSW Government hasn’t made booster requirements for teachers and school staff clear,” she said.

“Teachers and school communities would appreciate certainty from the NSW Government about their vaccination requirements to prevent impacts on an already short-staffed workforce.”