Changes to COVID vaccination mandates for healthcare workers

The Chief Health Officer Public Health Direction mandating COVID-19 vaccination requirements for workers in health care settings will be revoked in Queensland from Friday (2 September).

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Queensland Health workers will still be required to stay up to date with their COVID vaccinations, as will workers in aged and disability care facilities.

“With the peak of the third wave behind us, it’s now up to employers to decide if they impose COVID vaccine mandates on private health care workers,” she said.

“To protect vulnerable residents in aged and disability care, a COVID vaccine mandate in these facilities will be retained.

“The Queensland Health staff vaccination directive will also remain in place to ensure the safety of employees, patients, visitors and the wider community.

“With 93 per cent of Queenslanders double vaccinated and the most recent peak having passed, now is the right time to transition responsibilities for managing the vaccination requirements of workers in private hospitals, primary care and private allied health to those employers.

“Whether vaccination is required for these individuals is now a matter for individual employers as part of normal workplace health and safety obligations.”

Also starting from next week, Queensland Health will report COVID case numbers daily from Monday-Friday, with no weekend reporting.

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008