NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has called for the end of broad COVID-19 vaccine mandates in his state, saying the jab has no effect on transmission.
Public health orders mandating vaccines for health professionals expired in November but some workplaces can require mandatory vaccination under their own applicable work, health and safety obligations.
“There is no evidence that vaccines in the current environment have any impact at all on transmission of COVID. I could not be clearer,” Mr Perrottet told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.
He said health facilities imposed some vaccine requirements on workers before the pandemic, usually for influenza, and that was the point he wanted to get back to.
“In the areas of the public service that I can make that direction, I have it and it has been enacted,” he said.
“I’ve also worked very closely with the private sector who have followed my position.”
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends adults get a vaccine booster if they haven’t been vaccinated or caught the virus in the past six months, and are either over 65 or have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.
By Luke Costin in Sydney