The Mandatory Vaccination Order requires those care and support workers in client-facing roles to have received their booster shots by today or risk being stood down or terminated.
The government has changed the timetable, extending the deadline for this requirement by ten days to 11.59pm 24 February. The change was agreed over the weekend. We understand that the MoH was to communicate this to the sector yesterday. That did not happen.
We are concerned providers may not be aware that they have another week to comply with the Order. We are concerned that some providers may have staff who have not received their booster shot as required and may have already taken steps as of today to stand those staff down or terminate, when this is not necessary as a result of the change.
We have expressed this concern to the MoH.
We are further concerned that the MoH are continuing to show signs of stress and a lack of planning and engagement over this fast-moving situation. We understand the increasing demands and pressures as a result of the Omicron outbreak and Delta before it. Our members and their disabled clients live with these demands every day. The lack of communication on this change to the Mandatory Order is unacceptable and the risks to our members and their clients totally unnecessary and avoidable.
We have expressed this view to the MoH as well.
A copy of the order can be found here: COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order (No 2) 2022 (SL 2022/15) – New Zealand Legislation