PSA welcomes the Queensland Government’s decision to expand vaccine mandate

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the Queensland Government’s decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all private healthcare staff.

 

Under the recently announced Workers in a Healthcare Setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction, all private health, aged care and disability service workers in Queensland will be required to be fully vaccinated by 15 December.

 

PSA Queensland Branch President, Shane MacDonald, praised Minister D’Ath’s leadership in ensuring that frontline staff and Queenslanders are protected in time for the State’s reopening.

 

“We are delighted that the public health orders have now been extended to those working in pharmacies, private hospitals, day surgeries, GP clinics, optometrists and various other settings. PSA commends the Health Minister for nipping this in the bud prior to our reopening on 17 December.

 

“Mandatory vaccination is the best way to protect health care workers, patients and to reduce the risk of further transmission through high-risk primary care settings.

 

“Over the course of the pandemic, Queensland has been sheltered from the brunt of this virus – avoiding widespread community transmission, high infection rates and the accompanying lockdowns. As domestic and international borders reopen and socialisation increases, this is all about to change – and we must be prepared to live alongside this deadly disease.

 

“The last thing we want is a situation where vulnerable members of the community remain anxious about contracting this disease through these primary care settings. It is imperative those seeking care feel confident that their provider at the other end has heeded the health advice.

 

“The onus is on us as health professionals to provide the safest possible environment for society’s most vulnerable, ensuring that they are not deterred from accessing our facilities as they seek treatment in order improve their overall quality of life.

 

“Whilst this is good news for the state, we also recognise those extenuating circumstances where health workers have genuine medical contraindications to vaccination – for this exceptionally small cohort, PSA supports the need for additional controls to reduce risk to the public and healthcare workers,” Mr MacDonald said.

 

 

 

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463