Australian Defence Force personnel to be barred from some duties if not jabbed

Australian Defence Force personnel who refuse to get vaccinated will not be allowed to perform certain roles. See how it affects you.

Australian Defence Force personnel who do not vaccinate against Covid will be barred from certain roles and duties but the jab will not be made compulsory.

Soldiers, sailors and aircrews have been advised their “fighting capability” would be compromised if they did not vaccinate against the virus, in the same way they do other viruses like measles and the flu.

Defence has told personnel no one will be jabbed “against their will or without their consent” but those who did not would be restricted from going on certain deployments overseas or in the community.

RAAF Senior Nursing Officer Squadron Leader Matt Luther prepares a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine for administering to an ADF member aboard a C-130J Hercules aircraft in the Middle East region. Picture: Defence

It is understood all rank and file are currently being “strongly encouraged” to get the jab but some are declining.

“ADF members are not vaccinated against their will or without their consent,” a spokeswoman confirmed yesterday.

“ADF members who do not wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are restricted from being able to perform certain roles, such as those in high-risk settings where the risk of infection and consequences from COVID-19 are high.”

Australian Army Lieutenant General John Frewen, Commander Defence COVID-19 Taskforce, leading by example receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Picture: Defence

The US military is not being offered a choice with all members advised yesterday they were to get vaccinated by mid next month under a plan laid out by the Pentagon and endorsed by President Joe Biden.

The British military has not made it mandatory and consequently have had major outbreaks while on deployment.

This included more than 100 cases on ships attached to the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier led strike group currently in Guam and en route to Japan through the South China Sea. There were another two dozen cases among the 300 troops deployed to Mali on a peacekeeping mission.

HMAS Broome Communication and Information Systems team, Able Seaman Louise Bliim (left) and Leading Seaman Jessica Steane, point to where they received their COVID-19 vaccinations while alongside in Darwin. Picture: Defence

RAAF Leading Aircraft Woman Hannah Heaney talks with a NSW Health worker before receiving her COVID-19 vaccine at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Picture: Defence

As at August 10, 79 per cent of permanent ADF members had received at least one dose of Covid vaccination, with 62 per cent fully vaccinated with two doses. The number of dissenters is unknown at this stage.

Corporal Boyd Chatillon (left) and Lance Corporal Christopher Oakes (right) in Sydney to receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, ADF members working on the Covid frontline were among the first Australians to receive the vaccine. Picture: Defence

The ADF spokeswoman said ADF vaccinations program currently underway were through an informed consent process.

“Vaccination of ADF members is an important force health protection measure, as well as a work health and safety measure. It helps protect the fighting capability of the ADF,” she said.

“The Covid-19 vaccine has been included as a routine immunisation for ADF members, just like the flu, tetanus and measles vaccinations.”

Depending on their location and deployment, service members can get as many as 17 different inoculations. Defence has approved the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for deployed and force assigned personnel where a suitable alternative is not available.

Originally published as Australian Defence Force personnel to be barred from some duties if not jabbed