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    COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

    Policy name COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
    Policy number HRP017
    Date approved 29 October 2021
    Approving body Cairnmillar Council
    Responsible officer Chief Executive Officer
    Implementation officer General Manager
    Next review date April 2022
    Related Policies
    • Flexible Work Practice Policy
    • Staff Wellbeing Policy
    • COVID-19 Management Policy
    Related forms and documents

    1. Purpose of this Policy

    The Victorian Government requires COVID-19 vaccinations to be mandatory for those working and studying at healthcare and educational settings. These requirements are specified on the Department of Health Website.

    This document outlines the Cairnmillar Institute’s (Institute) policy on the COVID-19 vaccination from the period of 25 October 2021 until a time when vaccination is no longer mandatory or deemed necessary. Those who are included in this policy are specified in Scope. The Institute aligns with government directions pursuant to section 200(1)(d) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) (PHW Act), which impose obligations upon operators of specified facilities (which includes healthcare and educational facilities) in relation to the vaccination of workers, in order to limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the population in these settings. The Institute is an operator of both a healthcare facility and educational setting and is therefore a designated facility for mandatory vaccinations as outlined in the government directions.

    2. Scope

    The policy applies to all workers (including staff, independent practitioners, contractors, honorary appointments, advisers, students, Academic Board members, Council members, construction workers, and volunteers) who are required to attend the Cairnmillar Institute.

    3. Policy

    3.1. Rationale for COVID-19 Vaccine

    As an employer, the Cairnmillar Institute has a duty, in accordance with the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, to eliminate, or minimise, the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace. COVID-19 vaccines help protect people by either preventing or reducing symptoms in the person who has received the vaccine. A TGA approved vaccine mitigates:

    • The risks of people working in close proximity, and
    • Interactions with large numbers of people that could contribute to a ‘super-spreading’ event if employees contracted COVID-19.

    All people specified in Scope fall into one of two vaccination categories: mandatory vaccinations or recommended vaccinations.

    3.2. Mandatory Vaccinations

    In accordance with Victoria’s Public Health Directions, all workers who are required to or do attend Cairnmillar facilities or placements must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

    The requirements are as follows:

    1. By 25 October 2021, those attending Cairnmillar facilities or a placement in an educational facility will require at least a first dose and a booking for the second vaccination.
    2. By 29 October 2021, those on clinical placement in a health setting (hospital, outreach, community service, allied health professional clinic) will require at least a first dose and a booking for the second vaccination.
    3. By 29 November 2021, those attending Cairnmillar facilities or a placement in an educational facility will require the second vaccination.
    4. By 15 December 2021, those on clinical placement in a health setting (hospital, outreach, community service, allied health professional clinic) will require the second vaccination.
    5. Booster vaccinations, as required.

    3.3. Recommended Vaccinations

    The Cairnmillar Institute strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19 for:

    • Visitors to the Institute.
    • Workers at the Institute who are not required to, and do not, attend Cairnmillar facilities or placements.
    • Clients/patients of the Institute.

    3.4. Exemption from vaccinations

    Exemptions from being vaccinated against COVID-19 are described in the Public Health Directions and include certain medical conditions and where workers are not required to and do not attend Cairnmillar facilities or placements.

    Where a worker believes they have a valid exemption from strict compliance with the Regulation it must be raised with their line manager or the head of school (for students) as soon as practicable.

    Where a genuine exemption exists, on valid medical grounds, the manager will consult with the worker to explore any reasonable alternative, to accommodate the worker’s ongoing engagement in any capacity, otherwise those with exemptions will have the same accessibility as those who are vaccinated.

    3.5. Obligations for Cairnmillar Management

    3.5.1. The collection, recording and holding of vaccination information.

    The Institute is obligated to collect, record, and hold vaccination information. If a worker or student provides evidence of being partially vaccinated, the Institute is also obliged to collect, record, and hold information about whether there has been a booking for the second dose and when the deadline is for the second dose.

    If a worker or student is unvaccinated, the Institute will also collect, record and hold information about whether that worker or student has a booking to receive, by the first does deadline, a dose of COVID-19 vaccine that will result in the worker or student to be partially vaccinated.

    The Institute will also collect and hold vaccination information from visitors, clients and contractors.

    3.5.2. Taking reasonable steps to prevent entry of unvaccinated workers.

    The Institute will take all reasonable steps to ensure that, on or after the relevant date, a worker who is unvaccinated without medical exemption does not enter or remain onsite for the purposes of work or study.

    If the Institute does not hold vaccination information about a worker, the Institute must treat the worker as if they are unvaccinated.

    If a person who is unvaccinated is required to enter Cairnmillar facilities in specified circumstances (e.g., for an emergency) the worker should comply with Public Health Directions.

    3.6. Breach of this policy

    Any worker who is found to have breached this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including the termination of employment or engagement.

    Any student who is found to have breached this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action including the termination of their enrolment if they cannot meet the inherent requirements of their course of study.

    3.7. Variations

    The Institute reserves the right to vary or replace this Policy at any time in line with the evolving nature of COVID-19 and Public Health Directions.

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