Australia is set to announce new “no jab, no pay” rules for all health workers in a move that is set to inflame tensions with anti-vaxxers.
The Prime Minister will discuss the issue at Friday’s national cabinet amid calls for a national approach to the controversial ban on unvaccinated workers.
News.com.au understands the new national definition will include public hospitals, ambulance services, private hospitals, GPs, private nurse offices and consulting offices.
Even pharmacies and private pathology centres will be covered by the new requirements that all health workers are vaccinated.
The rules will also apply to student nurses and doctors on work experience placements and Defence Department health services.
While some states have already announced vaccine mandates, Victoria, South Australia and the NT are yet to finalize the mandatory vaccination guidelines in their own states for health care workers.
NSW’s own deadline for all health workers to be vaccinated with a first dose expired on Thursday and some workers could be stood down from Friday.
Around 94 per cent of NSW health workers have been vaccinated, but over 5,000 workers remain unvaccinated.
“It’s pretty simple,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
“If you don’t care enough to get vaccinated and look after your colleagues, if you don’t care enough about your patient, you probably shouldn’t be in the health system.”
In Queensland, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has warned workers they must get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“We require our health workers to get vaccinated for a range of immunisations,’’ she said. “This is about keeping them safe, their work colleagues’ safety…and their own family members,” said.
Nearly one in 10 of Queensland’s 115,000 health workers remain unvaccinated.
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