Three months later, then Acting Minister for Covid-19 Response Chris Hipkins announced vaccination mandates for workers would also be removed from the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act, which was introduced in 2020 to provide an extraordinary set of legislative powers that have enabled the Government’s response to Covid-19.
The Act provided the primary legal framework for implementing the mandatory public health measures used to manage the Covid public health crisis, and is time-limited, self-repealing in May 2023, unless done sooner.
However, Health NZ Te Whatu Ora maintained the mandatory vaccination policy in Tairāwhiti until a national Te Whatu Ora vaccination policy could be developed.
Yesterday, a Te Whatu Ora spokesperson confirmed to The Gisborne Herald a new national policy was implemented at the start of this month.
“Covid-19 still poses a risk to staff, patients, whānau and visitors to our hospitals and healthcare settings and we want to ensure that those coming on to our worksites are protected.
“To support this, on Monday, July 3, 2023, Te Whatu Ora introduced a new pre-employment Covid-19 vaccination policy for the pre-employment Covid-19 vaccination screening of all new workers.
“The policy helps ensure we are meeting our legislative requirement to take reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or minimise the risk of harm from Covid-19 at our worksites.
“The policy applies when engaging or employing new workers into Te Whatu Ora from July 3, 2023. This includes employees, closely-held clinical contractors, those with access agreements, students, trainees and contractors. The policy does not apply to existing workers.
“In the policy, all Te Whatu Ora workers fall into one of two categories, Category A workers and Category B workers.
“Category A Workers are those at higher risk of workplace exposure to Covid-19 through face-to-face patient interaction, working in clinical areas and contact with potentially infectious materials and surfaces.
“Category B Workers are in roles with an equivalent risk to a non-healthcare workplace, for example, office-based with infrequent or no patient contact.
“Vaccination is expected for all new Category A workers, and is recommended for new Category B workers.
“There will be a risk assessment pathway followed for all Category A workers not able or declining to be fully vaccinated. Category B workers who are unable to be vaccinated against Covid-19 may commence work without any risk assessment.
“Mandatory vaccination is not being proposed as part of this policy. Instead, a principled, risk-assessment-based approach will be followed while also continuing to promote, encourage and provide vaccination in the workplace.
“Te Whatu Ora has chosen to take a supportive and encouraging approach, promoting Covid-19 vaccination (in our workplaces and communities) as an evidence-based way to help prevent and mitigate the effects of various infections, and as part of an overall strategy to reduce harm from diseases in health care settings.
“While Te Whatu Ora acknowledges that there are a range of views and perspectives on vaccination, which were taken into consideration in developing this policy, as a health organisation Te Whatu Ora is pro-vaccination and recognises that vaccination is a proven, science-based intervention to prevent and reduce infection.
“The creation of this policy has been led by a dedicated policy working group made up of a wide range of representatives, including clinical, occupational health, health and safety, legal, public health/National Immunisation Programme, COO, CMO, HR and staff wellbeing). The policy incorporates the views of kaimahi through the over 1000 pieces of feedback received during the consultation process in December 2022 and January 2023, as well as input from our unions.
“The policy will be regularly reviewed and updated as required.”
The change was welcomed by Nurses Professional Association of New Zealand (NPANZ).
“NPANZ are pleased to see the mandates dropped,” union president Deborah Cunliffe said.
“A one-size fits all approach doesn’t belong in modern healthcare. Our health system is in desperate need of experienced clinicians and hopefully the release of this policy will see the reinstatement of hundreds of healthcare workers who lost their jobs due to mandates.“
