Case for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in health and aged care settings: a guide for leaders

Abstract

Background This brief paper provides an overview of the analysis in support of mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all workers in health and aged care settings in Australia. Leaders of health and aged care organisations have a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable disease in their facilities, including COVID-19. Methods Key issues that should be considered by healthcare leaders when mandating that all health and aged care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 were analysed by executives from a large Australian national health and aged care provider and discussed in this paper. Results This paper summarises the medical/scientific, ethical, legal, work health and safety, workers’ compensation and industrial relations considerations when mandating COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers. Conclusion Leaders of health and aged care organisations must provide a safe environment and workplace for all those who work for them, as well as for those who receive care or treatment at one of their facilities. It is hoped that this paper will assist leaders of healthcare organisations in making their own decisions during this time.