❓ Hon Martin Aldridge asks about mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for DFES volunteers, questioning the policy's development and basis given existing health advice. The Minister confirms the policy is under consultation and doesn't mandate vaccination, but control measures may apply to unvaccinated volunteers.
AnsweredQoN 870Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
VACCINATIONS —DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS
870. Hon
MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the Department of Fire
and Emergency Services general circular dated 20 October 2021 and titled ''Mandatory
COVID-19 Vaccinations for DFES Staff'', which states —
As the State Government's
direction does not apply to volunteers, DFES will continue with its plans to
implement its Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
(1) Will the DFES infection
prevention and control policy mandate vaccinations for DFES volunteers?
(2) When will
this policy be released and what time frames will be mandated for volunteers to
receive their first and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination?
(3) Noting the
health advice from the Chief Health Officer of 19 October specifically excludes
DFES volunteers, has the minister or DFES
received subsequent health advice supporting a mandatory vaccination policy for DFES volunteers?
VACCINATIONS —DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS
870. Hon
MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the Department of Fire
and Emergency Services general circular dated 20 October 2021 and titled ''Mandatory
COVID-19 Vaccinations for DFES Staff'', which states —
As the State Government's
direction does not apply to volunteers, DFES will continue with its plans to
implement its Infection Prevention and Control Policy.
(1) Will the DFES infection
prevention and control policy mandate vaccinations for DFES volunteers?
(2) When will
this policy be released and what time frames will be mandated for volunteers to
receive their first and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination?
(3) Noting the
health advice from the Chief Health Officer of 19 October specifically excludes
DFES volunteers, has the minister or DFES
received subsequent health advice supporting a mandatory vaccination policy for DFES volunteers?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Minister for Emergency Services.
(1)–(2) The
DFES infection prevention and control policy is still in its consultation phase
and under development and does not mandate vaccination for emergency services
volunteers. Emergency services volunteers who have not received a COV1D-l9 vaccination
may be required to participate in control measures.
(3) DFES has not
received additional advice from the Chief Health Officer following the
announcement.
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Minister for Emergency Services.
(1)–(2) The
DFES infection prevention and control policy is still in its consultation phase
and under development and does not mandate vaccination for emergency services
volunteers. Emergency services volunteers who have not received a COV1D-l9 vaccination
may be required to participate in control measures.
(3) DFES has not
received additional advice from the Chief Health Officer following the
announcement.
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