Catholic not-for-profit hospitals are calling on Victorian Government to make vaccinations compulsory for all hospital staff across Victoria as a matter of urgency.
New South Wales will now make coronavirus vaccinations mandatory for all health workers, with a proposal to require first doses by September 30.
However, it is currently not mandatory for hospital staff in Victoria to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Catholic not-for-profit hospitals, represented by Catholic Health Australia, are doing everything possible to vaccinate staff, while redeploying unvaccinated staff to areas with low risk of COVID contact. But CHA Health Policy Director James Kemp a uniform rule, like that now in place in NSW, was urgently required.
"If canned fruit companies and airlines think vaccinations should be mandatory, surely the Victorian Government should make them mandatory in Victorian hospitals," Mr Kemp said.
"NSW was late to make this move, but that means Victoria is even later. Catholic not-for-profit hospitals are now desperate for the government to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for staff.
"Of course, most hospital workers are already getting vaccinated. But for the minority who are hesitating for whatever reason, that hard push from government will make a huge difference. You can't expect hospitals to introduce mandates at a management level, it exposes them to a level of legal uncertainty they just can't afford to bear.
"Catholic not-for-profit hospitals are doing their best by setting targets for full vaccination and redeploying unvaccinated hospital staff to lower risk areas. But they desperately need the Victorian Government's support."
Mr Kemp emphasised that vaccine requirements are nothing new for the hospital sector.
"Every year Victorian health care staff are required to get vaccinated against the flu, there's no rational reason COVID vaccination should be considered more controversial," Mr Kemp said.
