29 June 2021
Article credit: ANMF Federal Office
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) continues to strongly encourage aged care nurses and carers to receive COVID-19 vaccines, but is concerned that mandating vaccinations for the aged care workforce could be a ‘political decision, not a health decision’.
According to the ANMF, there is still ongoing confusion and very little detail on how mandatory vaccinations would be implemented. There is still no guarantee of special paid leave to assist aged care staff get their vaccinations and the $11 million pledged for workers, is just a mere $30.00 allocated for each worker still unvaccinated.
“The Morrison Government’s promises for aged care just keep coming, but at this stage, there are more questions than answers,” ANMF Federal Secretary, Annie Butler, said today.
“Whilst the ANMF strongly encourages our members working in aged care to get vaccinated, we need to ensure that the Government’s mandate is based on clear-cut health advice not political advice. The critical issues now are access to vaccines and support for aged care staff.
“So far, the vaccine roll-out in privately-run aged care facilities has been an absolute shambles. To protect workers, elderly residents and the wider community, we need guaranteed access to vaccines for all aged care workers and paid leave to support that access and management of any reactions they may experience.
“For three months, we’ve been pleading with the Government to fund special leave to support aged care staff to receive their vaccinations, but there’s been total inaction. Last night’s announcement from the Prime Minister has no surety and no guarantees that aged care staff, especially those in insecure work, will have access to vaccinations and be supported so that they don’t lose hours and pay when they get the vaccine.
“We still don’t know how vaccinations will be mandated; how staff will access the vaccines. Will they access on site where they work, or will they be forced to source their own? Aged care workers are confused, and many aged care providers are confused. Workers need clarity and security and action by the Government which is based on clear health advice.
The ANMF Federal Office has written to the Prime Minister on behalf of our members across Australia, who are currently working in private residential aged care (i.e. Federal Government-run aged care), to seek clarification on the details and requirements relating to Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination in Aged Care, announced following the National Cabinet meeting on 28 June. Proposing the following questions to the PM.
The ANMF is therefore seeking clarification on the following questions:
- What education in relation to the vaccines and the announcement will be provided and disseminated to aged care staff?
- What vaccine will the Government make available to aged care staff and will they be offered a choice of vaccine?
- Will a workplace delivery program be provided or are staff to rely on existing services only to be vaccinated?
- What are the details of the grants for aged care facilities to support workers to receive the vaccine and what measures will be in place to ensure the grants are used solely for that purpose? And, will the grants apply to both casual and permanent aged care staff?
- Will special paid leave be provided so that workers do not have to use personal leave for the vaccination and in the event they become unwell, as is available in several public health systems?
- In the event that an aged care worker suffers a major adverse event following vaccination will they be covered by workers compensation?
- What evidence will need to be submitted in order to access the above initiatives?
- What impact will a vaccinated workforce have on the requirement for Single Site Employment directives to be issued into the future?
- What contingency plans are in place or will be put in place to care for residents in facilities, in the event a number of workers do not receive their first vaccination by the September deadline?
- Will the COVID-19 vaccine also be mandated for aged care residents, visitors and contractors?
- Does the announcement also apply to those aged staff who are providing in-home care under home care packages?
- What is to occur to those who may not have received their first vaccination by the September deadline? Are they to be stood down until they receive their vaccination or dismissed?
- What arrangements will be in place for those who have legitimate health reasons as to why the vaccine is contraindicated? Will they be dismissed?
- Will alternate work (other than direct resident care) within the facility be an option to standing down/dismissal that employers will be required to explore/provide?
Read the full letter here
“We know that as a nation, we must escalate the vaccination roll-out in aged care and the wider community and the ANMF and its members are willing and able to work with the Government and health agencies to get the job done.”
ANMF media release authorised by Annie Butler, ANMF Federal Secretary. 1/365 Queen St, Melbourne.
Resources
The ANMF’s Evidence on the COVID-19 vaccines can be found here:
The ANMF’s policy on vaccination can be accessed here
As professional leaders in this area, nurses and midwives can find the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) position statement on vaccination here
To find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout click here