PSA welcomes WA vaccine mandate for health workers

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) welcomes the McGowan Government’s announcement that COVID-19 vaccinations will become mandatory for primary and community health workers.

Yesterday, the WA Health Minister announced that to attend their workplace, health care workers will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This will protect health care workers and their patients, and will mitigate the risk of further transmission through primary care setting like pharmacies and general practice.

From 1 November, in order to enter these worksites, a worker must have received their first dose of the vaccine, with the second dose to be received by 1 December.

PSA WA Branch President, Keegan Wong, said: “PSA applauds the McGowan Government’s decision to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for the West’s frontline health workers, demonstrating their commitment to protecting our community.

“It is imperative that Western Australians have the confidence that these settings, and those who work within, are compliant with the health advice. We cannot have a situation where vulnerable members of the community remain anxious about contracting this disease through clinical settings like pharmacies and hospitals, especially as we learn to live alongside it.

“This move will protect our staff, patients, consumers and the community at large and we are glad to see that the state has followed Victoria and Tasmania’s lead on this front.

“Whilst this is good news for the state, we also recognise those extenuating circumstances where health workers have genuine medical contraindications to vaccination – and PSA is reassured a process exists to support this very small cohort,” Mr Wong concluded.

Media contact: PSA media 0424 777 463