The formulation has been given full approval, but will it now be mandatory?
Pfizer’s vaccine against COVID-19 has been approved by Australia’s medical regulator after the vaccine passed rigorous standards for safety, quality and efficacy.
However, the question of whether it would be mandatory for some segments of the workforce remains.
“Australians should take confidence in the thorough and careful approach taken by our world-class safety regulator,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in an official statement.
“Today’s approval is another big step forward for our community, particularly in the protection of our most vulnerable people.”
Read more: COVID-19 vaccination – what does it mean for Australia’s employers?
Unlike the US and the UK, which only gave emergency approval, Australia signed off on the use of Pfizer’s formulation after the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) completed a full and intensive review of the clinical trials.
Morrison is aiming for the country to start its vaccination drive in late February, but he cautioned the public against becoming less vigilant in observing health protocols and relying only on the vaccine to curb virus transmissions.
“It doesn’t mean that the masks disappear, if that is what the public health arrangements are in a particular state or territory, or [that] the quarantine arrangements for returning into Australia will end,” the prime minister warned.
Read more: COVID-19: Should vaccine be mandatory in these sectors?
The easing of restrictions may happen gradually, at a small scale. “It will build up and it will happen over a period of time over the course of this year. Of itself, it is not a silver bullet, because there are still limitations to what these vaccines can do,” he said.
Will vaccination be compulsory?
Even with preparations for the immunisation drive under way, HR and business leaders are still grappling with the question of whether the vaccine would be made compulsory in certain sectors.
“In areas where there is high risk, for example if they are dealing with vulnerable people, there would be a greater argument that a vaccination is a reasonable work health and safety measure,” Michael Michalandos, a partner at Baker McKenzie, told HRD.
“Employers have a duty to take reasonable precautionary measures to ensure health and safety in the workplace and that would include carrying out a risk assessment,” Michalandos said. “But in certain sectors, you could see mandating vaccinations becoming a possibility.”
One industry calling for vaccination to be mandated is the aged care sector, but Morrison has been quick to clarify it wouldn’t be a requirement – or at least, not yet.
“At this point, [the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee] are not recommending [mandatory vaccinations for aged care staff] be the case,” the prime minister said.
“I have no doubt if there were concerns about the well-being of vulnerable Australians, particularly elderly Australians, then they would make those recommendations.”
Despite Morrison’s vote of confidence, the TGA will continue to monitor the effects of the vaccine in the real world.
“Our job is by no means done. In fact, the monitoring of vaccine safety post-approval is an important part of the regulatory review of vaccines,” said Dr. John Skerritt, who led the review.
“We now check the individual batches of vaccines that are destined for Australians while closely monitoring the safety and efficacy of the vaccine as it is rolled out.”
Who will receive the COVID-19 vaccine – and during which phase?
Australians aged 16 and above, following this schedule:
- Phase 1a (up to 1.4 million doses)
- Quarantine and border workers
- Frontline healthcare worker sub-groups for prioritisation
- Aged care and disability care staff
- Aged care and disability care residents
- Phase 1b (up to 14.8 million doses)
- Elderly adults aged 80 years and over
- Elderly adults aged 70-79 years
- Other health care workers
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people > 55
- Younger adults with an underlying medical condition/disability
- Critical and high-risk workers: defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing
- Phase 2a (up to 15.8 million doses)
- Adults aged 60-69 years
- Adults aged 50-59 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 18-54
- Other critical and high-risk workers
- Phase 2b (up to 16 million doses)
- Balance of adult population
- Catch up any unvaccinated Australians from previous phases
- Phase 3 (up to 13.6 million doses)
- Australians below 16, if recommended
When will vaccinations begin?
The government is aiming to start with the first batch in late February.
How many doses will be administered per person?
Those receiving Pfizer’s formulation will receive two doses, with an interval of at least 21 days.
How many vaccination centres will be available?
More than 1,000 sites will be opened during all five phases. However, 30 to 50 hospitals will be asked to help administer the first batch.
