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Employers won’t roll out COVID-19 vaccine programs for some time: WA Health

Headshot of Danielle Le Messurier
Danielle Le MessurierThe West Australian
COVID vaccination team nurse Maeve Lane administers a COVID jab to Border Force officer, Tim.
Camera IconCOVID vaccination team nurse Maeve Lane administers a COVID jab to Border Force officer, Tim. Credit: Nic Ellis/The West Australian

The WA Health Department says it is too early for businesses to be looking at running their own vaccination programs, just days after the Federal Government’s COVID-19 advisory commission chair urged companies to prepare.

Nev Power last week told an Australian Institute of Company Directors summit that employers should get ready to roll out their own coronavirus immunisation programs, like they do for the flu, if they were in a position to do so.

But the plans are premature for WA Health, with a spokeswoman on Tuesday saying this “may be considered later in the rollout” but would be heavily contingent on the vaccine supply.

Australia is currently in Phase 1a of the vaccine rollout, which is limited to quarantine workers and those in health, aged care and disability sectors.

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The Federal Government’s COVID-19 advisory commission chair Nev Power
Camera IconThe Federal Government’s COVID-19 advisory commission chair Nev Power Credit: Danielle Le Messurier

Employers will eventually be able to direct most staff to get a COVID-19 vaccine when the jab becomes widely available to the working population, according to employment and industrial law barrister Ian Neil SC.

He said it would become “lawful and reasonable” for bosses to instruct employees to be immunised, unless they objected due to a health condition or their religious or political beliefs.

However, he warned there would be disputes over things like unlawful dismissal if clarity was not provided by State and Federal governments.

“Can (employees who refuse to be vaccinated) be lawfully dismissed, and if they’re lawfully dismissed could they challenge their dismissal on grounds it’s unfair? Could they be left to work at home? ... these are all difficult questions,” Mr Neil said.

COVID-19 guidance published by Safe Work Australia last month said it was “unlikely” employers in most industries will be required to enforce vaccinations.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said he had asked the Federal Government to prioritise the sector when the time came for broader vaccine applications.

“If they’re rationing the vaccine, then we’d like to be a priority,” he said, adding he had written to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt in his capacity as Australian Tourism Industry Council chair.

“Australians are still not travelling because there’s a real lack of confidence... and that confidence will come as the vaccine gets rolled out further.”

Mr Neil said there were two compelling reasons why vaccination will become reasonable: employers must take all practicable steps to protect the health of employees and others who visit their workplaces under Work Health and Safety laws, and they have commercial interests that require employees to be vaccinated.

The majority of WA’s mining workforce is expected to be vaccinated in line with the general community, with the exception of “at-risk” workers who come into contact with vulnerable communities.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Paul Everingham said the sector was committed to ensuring those members are given access to the vaccine “as early as is practicable”.

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