Covid 19 Vaccinations- Public Health Order/Directions
The NSW and Victorian Chief Health Officers have released Public Health Orders/Directions regarding vaccination status of staff/employees/members- see attached. I have not been able to locate any directives/orders for QLD at this stage (but I am going to presume there may be a similar type of order given.
As an organisation providing NDIS Services (specifically mentioned in the Public Health Orders/Directions) and other services we need to ensure our compliance with them. Of course if you are not able to receive a vaccination, you can request an exemption/contraindication certificate from your medical practitioner.
I understand this can cause some level of anxiety/worry (as individuals and as a whole/collective) but we need to ensure we are not breaching any of the orders and are compliant (as with other compliance requirements). I understand some members have some concerns/reservations and would like to invite people into a conversation regarding these concerns/reservations. Unfortunately (possibly like many organisations/agencies), we are in a difficult position where we have to meet compliance but there are concerns/reservations.
I will set a couple of dates/times and host an open discussion- please keep your eye out for an invite/notice.
In the mean time, please keep asking questions and seeking clarity.
Dee Brooks Thu 23 Dec 2021 7:45AM
Hi All,
Please find attached the Jeder COVID Vaccination Mandate Win Win Strategy v2, based on legal advice and updated information!
Further questions we are exploring:
1. What don’t we know or a little unsure of (the gaps)?
2. How do we get a harmonious balance (Win/Win)?
3. What other questions do you have?
4. How do we meet our obligations under the new NDIS practice standards to ensure the health, well-being and safety of the participants we support?
5. What is our legal position in regards to employed members sharing information that is in contradiction to mandates or directives?
Please let us know if you have any further concerns, queries or questions!
Kaeleen Hunter Wed 29 Dec 2021 12:26PM
this really took some finding....................I feel this deserves a wider lens
Dee Brooks Wed 29 Dec 2021 1:40PM
Hhmm, you're right! I'll create a new thread! Thanks!
Michelle Dunscombe Thu 21 Oct 2021 9:47AM
This information from WorkSafe Victoria might be useful https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/information-workers-required-be-vaccinated
I am mindful the strategy does not mention the strategy or action for collection & storage of Vaccine Certificates of members. My understanding is that organisations have the responsibility for ensuring that mandates are followed or risk large fines.
Jason Emmins Thu 21 Oct 2021 11:12AM
Thanks Michelle- this is quite handy.
We do need to discuss how we are going to collect and store the vaccine certificates. We have existing HR files at present and I would be proposing, when the time is right to store them here. They do not need to publicly available documents (as with HR files) and its a column added to one of our HR Register like our Criminal History Checks, WWCC etc.
Michaela Kennedy Mon 25 Oct 2021 12:24AM
Thanks Michelle - can you please see if there is anything similar for the other states
Jason Emmins Tue 26 Oct 2021 10:09PM
Here is some info from Safe Work NSW- Vaccination requirements for workers | NSW Government
Poll Created Thu 28 Oct 2021 6:53AM
Resources to help you host a conversation about the Covid Vaccine Closed Fri 5 Nov 2021 6:02AM
The Covid Vaccine Mandate has been released in various states/territories over the last few weeks. This has generated a lot of discussion, uncertainty and confusion.
Throughout the Loomio Post we have shared some resources and information that is publicly available and from credible sources.
The Bored has been meeting and discussing the Mandate regularly and have developed a Response Strategy (which has been shared with everyone). We acknowledge that some of the people we support and/or their families may still be asking you for information/advice and it may be difficult for you to host this conversation. Whilst we don't want to give advice (as this can also be biased with our own view/s), we are happy to share credible information we have found.
Would you find it useful to have a guide/resource kit for these discussions?
Results
| Results | Option | % of points | Voters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Yes, it would be helpful to have a resource kit. | 65.0% | 13 |
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No, I am confident I can host these discussions and give balanced information | 35.0% | 7 |
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| Undecided | 0% | 35 |
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20 of 55 people have participated (36%)
Michelle Dunscombe Thu 28 Oct 2021 6:53AM
I would be concerned giving any other information than that offered by the respective health departments as we could be held liable if people misinterpret other sources of information.
Francisco de Paula Thu 28 Oct 2021 6:53AM
Because I have been having those conversations with the families. I always refer them to check with their GP.
Michaela Kennedy Thu 28 Oct 2021 6:53AM
I would like to think all Jeder members would give reliable information and supported their participants decisions. I do think it would be best to have consistent information that we can share.
Drew Rogers Thu 28 Oct 2021 6:53AM
I've had a lot of discussions where confusion reigns supreme on this topic.Would be great to have a summarised and compact version of information perhaps stemming directly from the public health order and government sites. Anything/anyone elaborating on the orders, legislation and enforcement is just interpretation right?
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Drew Rogers Tue 2 Nov 2021 12:43AM
Did we get any legal advice as to how penalties will be enforced? It seems clear through the public health act that any unvaxxed person working in disability is now illegal but so was mask wearing and that seemed up to police discretion. I'd hate for a robodebt scenario to arise though where workers are fined retroactively through invoicing. Disobeying public health orders is a minimum $1000 fine and $5500 every day of non compliance thereafter. Worst case scenario would be devastating.
Michaela Kennedy Mon 10 Jan 2022 6:39PM
Has anyone heard of anyone getting fines? Hopefully everyone is complying with the rules while working. Can’t control what people do in their personal life.
Deleted account Tue 2 Nov 2021 2:48AM
Well, hopefully we'll move in the direction Spain is: https://spanishnewstoday.com/spain-to-refund-fines-issued-during-covid-lockdown_1671899-a.html
Deleted account Thu 4 Nov 2021 3:18AM
I rang the NDIA and the Covid National Hotline for some advice about this issue. I said that I have participants who have trusted key support workers who aren't vaccinated. The participant wants to work with these workers with the full knowledge that they aren't vaxed and that the Public Health order mandates the vax. I asked:
1: Who would be responsible for fines, if they're imposed? The independent support worker or the participant?
2: Is there any talk of policing breaches of the public health order?
The NDIS operator got advice from their supervisor and told me that disability support workers can continue to work if unvaccinated as long as they abide by "state rules" (???? But doesn't this mean the public health order - state rules???)
The Covid Hotline operator told me that it would be the support worker as a sole trader that would be responsible for any fines if policed and imposed, not the participant. She also said that she hadn't heard of any talk in regard to policing this and implementing fines because it would be difficult and costly.
I also rang our local MP's office about this. They said they'd do some investigating and get back to me. So......MORE BIG SHRUGS AND HEAD SCRATCHING.
Drew Rogers Thu 4 Nov 2021 4:53AM
Well i guess there's some comfort in knowing we're all in the same boat. Even if we can't figure out if it's safe or sinking 😆
Michaela Kennedy Mon 10 Jan 2022 6:42PM
Thanks for doing this Alex, I hope this shows no-one really knows how it will be enforced or if it will.
Aleks Jovanovic Mon 8 Nov 2021 2:38AM
Sorry that I missed the opportunity to vote. For what its worth, No, I am confident I can host these discussions and give balanced information :)
Michaela Kennedy · Sun 31 Oct 2021 10:38AM
In the mandated areas I think it is wise to work remote for those that have not had the jab. Hopefully we will have more advice soon.