More than ten per cent of Queensland Health workers are unvaccinated against COVID -19 before an imminent deadline for a first dose, according to figures from the State Health Department.
Under a Queensland Health employment directive, any clinician or staff member who works in or attends locations where patients are cared for is required to have one dose of COVID - 19 vaccine by September 30 and a second dose by October 31.
According to state officials, more than 89 per cent of staff had received one dose of vaccine as of 20 September, while 82 per cent received both doses.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath will be working through that with all of our health workers, said health minister Yvette D'Ath.
We know this is important, we require our health workers to get vaccinated for a range of immunisations and the flu, so this is not uncommon. This is about keeping them safe, their work colleagues safe, each patient and visitor who walks into their hospital and their own family members. Queensland Health said vaccination was the best defence to protect employees, patients and the broader community.
Since the launch of the rollout, employee vaccination was supported and encouraged by the spokespersons.
All employees who are required to be vaccinated are a priority group for bookings and walk-ins in state run sites.
For the small percentage of staff who do not wish to receive the vaccine, our approach is to find out why staff may decline to be vaccinated and examine whether there is additional information or support that can be provided to enable them to be vaccinated. After this process, Queensland Health said they will work with these staff to explore alternative options.
It said alternative options will be determined based on a consideration of the employee's circumstances and may include deployment or other adjustments.
Staff members can apply for an exemption and continue to work until the exemption has been assessed, but may need additional precautions such as working remotely, wearing PPE and being tested.
Exemptions will be based on recognised circumstances, such as exceptional medical conditions.
An unvaccinated employee who is not granted an exemption after the specified dates will not be able to work and can access their leave entitlements.
A similar mandate in New South Wales has led to some staff resigning or taking extended leave.
Seven Queensland Police Service staff, including five officers, are currently seeking a court order to invalidate a similar vaccination directive from the Queensland Police Commissioner.
The Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union (QNMU) continued to call for qualified Queensland Health staff, and other eligible Queenslanders to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Now is the time for Queenslanders, including healthcare staff, to do everything in their power to take control of QNMU during COVID - 19, QNMU Secretary Beth Mohle said.
We cannot be distracted by other agendas vaccination is the key to overcoming this pandemic. The QNMU said it recognised that individuals have the right to make personal choices about immunisation, but there may be professional and industrial consequences for exercising this choice.