Vaccination order extended to primary care and private sector health service providers
Mandatory vaccination requirements will be extended to all primary care and other private sector health service providers across NSW, with these workers required to have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by 31 January 2022.
These changes are consistent with requirements in other states and territories, including Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.
In 2021, NSW Health introduced mandatory vaccination for its healthcare workers to help protect patients, visitors, other health staff and the wider community.
The revised Public Health Order will retain the existing coverage of NSW Health staff and staff in public and private hospitals. It will also extend vaccination requirements to health practitioners working in private and community settings, such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists, speech pathologists, dieticians and naturopaths. It will also cover support staff working in these practices.
Vaccination is particularly important in healthcare settings due to the high proportion of vulnerable people.
More information: www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20211216_01.aspx