Manda­to­ry work­place vac­ci­na­tion: Some myths

With SPC putting its head above the para­pet by man­dat­ing COVID-19 vac­ci­na­tion for its work­force, and the Nation­al Cab­i­net State­ment on 6 August, the top­ic of manda­to­ry work­place vac­ci­na­tion has nev­er gen­er­at­ed such inter­est, analy­sis or debate.

In dis­cus­sion and report­ing on the issue there are some reg­u­lar­ly recur­ring myths. It is time­ly to exam­ine some of those a lit­tle more closely. 

1. There is no pow­er or right what­so­ev­er to man­date COVID-19 vac­ci­na­tion. It is always up to the individual

The Nation­al Cab­i­net State­ment on 6 August 2021 under the head­ing “Employ­ee Vac­ci­na­tions” noted:

“Aus­trali­a's pol­i­cy remains that vac­cines should be vol­un­tary and free.”