Industry groups – The Real Media Collective and Ai Group – have welcomed an initiative to use workplaces as vaccination centres for the COVID-19 vaccine, a move which would allow the vaccine to be administered in the same way the flu vaccine currently is.
The Real Media Collective says five of Australia’s largest print and supply employers have thrown their support behind the federal government initiative to significantly increase COVID-19 vaccination rates nationally.
The details of the COVID-19 vaccine workplace roll-out are still being worked on by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Lt Gen John Frewen, the head of the vaccine rollout, but the idea involves administering the COVID-19 vaccine in workplaces, mirroring the way flu vaccine is administered to employees currently.
The news also comes as Sydney’s lockdown continues for another week until midnight Friday July 16 – a move which has prompted the postponement of the NSW PICAs which were scheduled to take place next Friday night in Sydney.
The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood said she had reached out to the nation’s top 20 employment member companies and was thrilled to have five come back with their support within hours.
“As an industry we are one of the largest manufacturing employers across the country and when the Federal government called for industry support, we reached out to our largest employing members,” Northwood said.
“I was overwhelmed by the immediate support, we had companies responding within hours and I want to thank those who have acted so quickly. This allows us to have our communications into government for the broader Australian industry discussions today.”
Northwood also pointed out that no employees will be mandated to be vaccinated, but would rather be given the choice to be vaccinated at work, as is the case with the annual flu vaccine.
“Whilst still finalising our numbers, the companies already supportive and those keen to finalise support, pending overseas head office approval, see within a week of discussions over 10,000 employees being supported by proposed initiatives,” Northwood said.
“Employees will always have choice across such programs, however this provides industry commitment to support employees with their choice.”
Ai Group CEO Ines Willox welcomed the opportunity to discuss businesses playing a key role in delivering the vaccine to staff, their families and the broader community.
He said businesses are ready to communicate to their employees and the broader community the gains that come with vaccination such as open borders, greater travel, reduced quarantine requirements and reduced restrictions providing strong incentives for the community to be vaccinated in addition to the health benefits.
But he did raise some concerns about a lack of indemnity for companies and restrictive privacy rules that put workers at risk. Willox also said the public health orders around workplace vaccinations need to be consistent across the country.
“However, Ai Group raised the significant impediments around the lack of indemnity for companies and restrictive privacy rules that put workers at risk that need to be addressed before the roll-out of workplace-based vaccinations. Workers’ compensation does not provide appropriate or affordable protections for businesses against adverse vaccine reactions. Businesses need the same indemnities that the Government gives to itself, doctors and pharmaceutical companies,” Willox said.
“It was clear from today’s meeting that to allow workplace vaccinations employers also need state public health orders to be consistent.”
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