AHPPC does not recommend compulsory COVID-19 vaccines for aged care workers.
It is imperative to protect vulnerable persons living in residential aged care. AHPPC recommends work to understand barriers to, and enablers of, vaccination, informed by monitoring of vaccine uptake. Mandating COVID-19 vaccination must balance the rights of an individual in the workplace against the public health benefits of vaccination at the time and must take into account any unintended consequences such as impacts on workforce availability and delivery of care to residential aged care residents.
AHPPC continues to recommend that those who are experiencing acute respiratory symptoms should not attend residential aged care settings. AHPPC also encourages all visitors to residential care facilities to get vaccinated, when the vaccine is available to them, to further protect the residents of these facilities.
AHPPC will continue to monitor the situation and provide advice to National Cabinet, including on any evidence supporting a future move to mandatory vaccination.
