However, the workers were praised for risking themselves for public benefit
The High Court has dismissed the petition of four aviation security workers who challenged the government's mandate that requires them to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The workers, who hail from Christchurch, challenged the legality of the order as well as the safety of the vaccines. However, Justice Francis Cooke has "accordingly dismissed" the challenge of the workers, while also rejecting the arguments they made.
"I do not accept the applicants' challenge that the vaccine is experimental, unproven, unsafe, and that it has little effect on transmission," said Cooke in the ruling.
He said that he’s "satisfied" that the vaccine is safe, effective, as well as beneficial in preventing COVID-19 infections, hospitalisation, and death.
"I also accept that it is likely to materially assist in preventing the risk of an outbreak of the spread of COVID-19 originating from border workers having contact with potentially infected persons from overseas," he said.
Read more: New Zealand government announces COVID-19 vaccine mandate for 40% of workers
According to Cooke, the order is also not implemented by an irrational decision, nor did officials fail to consider relevant considerations. The justice acknowledged the effort of the workers for putting forward their arguments despite criticism thrown at them for opposing vaccinations. He further recognised the workers, who are now terminated, had put themselves at risk for the benefit of the public.
"They should not be thought of as any less committed to the community than any other New Zealander," Cooke said in his ruling.
