COVID-19: Mandatory vaccinations

Why vaccinations are mandatoryHealth and disability, education, Fire and Emergency and correctional workforces are key public service sectors that each face particular and different challenges posed by COVID-19. This may be because they work with populations that either are unable to be vaccinated (education and health), are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (health and corrections), or where outbreaks have occurred overseas (correctional facilities).
While each workforce has its own particular set of risk factors, vaccination is a vital measure in common for reducing infection and transmission.
In education, for instance, although New Zealand and international experience indicates classroom teaching presents a low risk of spreading COVID-19, vaccination is a highly effective way of further reducing risk when used together with ventilation measures, staying home if sick (and getting tested), face coverings (where applicable) and physical distancing.
Considering the important roles these workers undertake and the population groups they work with, as well as whānau and members of the wider community, it is therefore critical for staff working in these key sectors to be vaccinated. While most people in these sectors have already been vaccinated, complete protection across these sectors is critical to the country’s successful management of COVID-19.

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