COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Ends for Health Workers in NSW

However, high-risk and new staff are still required to take one dose of the seasonal flu vaccine to be ‘considered compliant.’

A pharmacist is seen preparing a Covid-19 vaccine at the Pharmacy 4 Less M-City Clayton on July 11, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

A COVID-19 vaccination mandate in Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales (NSW) has finally ended for all health workers and students.

A new policy directive issued by NSW Health, seen by The Epoch Times, reveals the department has removed the requirement after nearly three years.

“COVID-19 vaccination changed from required to strongly recommended for all NSW Health workers,” the policy dated May 16 states (pdf).

However, high-risk staff are still required to take the flu vaccine, along with a number of other shots, according to the health department.

“All Category A workers and new recruits are required to receive one dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine annually to be considered compliant,” the department states.

“Category A workers and new recruits who are non-compliant with seasonal influenza vaccination must comply with all other infection control risk reduction strategies as directed while working in a Category A position.”

These Category A staff include all new students and those working in emergency departments, oncology wards, pregnant women, immunocompromised, and children under two.

High-risk staff also need to get the measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccines, a table in the policy directive shows.

Category B staff are only recommended, not required to get all these vaccines.

Category B workers are those who have no direct physical contact with patients or clients and whose normal work location is not a clinical area.

New recruits are required to comply with the policy directive at their own cost, while those in existing positions can receive vaccinations as required at no cost.

“Ongoing compliance includes a diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (dTpa) booster every 10 years,” the policy states.

However, new staff who have a medical contraindication to any vaccine are still able to be employed by the department following a risk assessment and providing evidence.

The new policy comes after NSW Health revealed in March it was consulting with staff, health unions, and local health districts about possible changes to mandatory COVID-19 requirements for healthcare workers.

At the time, chief health officer Dr. Kerry Chant said if consultation led to any change to the vaccine mandate, the department would continue to strongly recommend all workers stay up to date with their vaccinations.

“COVID-19 vaccination continues to provide strong protection against severe illness, particularly for people at higher risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19, including older adults and those with underlying health conditions,” Dr. Chant said at the time.

The vaccine mandate was initially introduced in August 2021 during the pandemic with the aim of protecting staff, families, patients, and visitors.

What is the Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Advice?

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released updated advice for COVID-19 vaccines in 2024 (pdf).

The federal government advisory group recommends one dose of COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 75 years and above every six months.

Further, adults aged between 65 and 74 are recommended to take the jab every 12 months and can consider the vaccine every six months based on a risk assessment. The same advice applies to those between 18 and 64 who are immunocompromised.

Healthy adults between 18 and 64 years are advised to “consider” a COVID-19 vaccine every 12 months based on a risk-benefit assessment.

In regards to children, those between five and 18 who are severely immunocompromised are also advised to consider the jab every 12 months.

“Vaccination remains the most important measure to protect those at risk of severe disease from COVID-19,” ATAGI claims.

“COVID-19 vaccines are recommended every 6 to 12 months for older adults and adults with severe immunocompromise due to their ongoing risk of severe COVID-19.”

Funding In Federal Budget for COVID Vaccines

The Australian federal budget on May 14 included $631.1 million over four years from 2024 to 2025 to support ongoing access to vaccines.

This includes $490 million (US $324.7 million) over five years from 2024 to 2025 to continue the national COVID-19 vaccine program (pdf).

Also, $82.5 million will be provided from 2025 to 2026 to ensure ongoing joint responsibility with states and territories for vaccination programs. Further, $57.7 million over four years will be allocated to broaden the eligibility of Shingrix for the prevention of shingles.

In addition, $107.4 million will be provided on an ongoing basis according to the government to fund the COVID vaccines.

In the 2024-25 financial year, $111.2 million for vaccines has been allocated to the health and aged care department, while $6.9 million has been provided to Services Australia and $800,000 to Veterans’ Affairs.

In mid-May, Services Australia revealed it has so far paid out $20.5 million in COVID-19 vaccine injury claims to individuals who experienced harm from the jab.

Data provided to The Epoch Times in May showed 286 out of 4,191 claims had been compensated, equating to 6.82 percent.

“As at March 31, 2024, the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme has received 4,191 claims and paid 286 claims to the value of around $20.5 million,” a spokesperson said.