Vaccine Mandates for Nurses
"This report should be mandatory reading for EVERY nurse, doctor and regulatory body in New Zealand" says NPANZ President, Deborah Cunliffe, speaking today about a report published by Dr Jan Dewar and her research team (AUT) and in relation to the unintended consequences of the vaccine mandates on health care workers.
NPANZ is grateful for the candid report, but believes, even in the midst of an 'emergency,' human rights should never be over-ridden. 'Human rights' are integral to our way of life in New Zealand they do not require wider consultation or impact analysis; they are a given.
The impact of unlawful mandates and poor decision-making by governments and health authorities is playing out across the globe as mandated frontline workers receive compensation and apologies. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/.../37435eb2aa0d983422c4...
Whilst over-riding human rights is unlawful, ignoring science that does not fit predetermined narratives is unforgivable; even in an emergency. Early in the pandemic, and before Pfizer contracts were signed here in NZ, there were indications that the vaccine was neither safe nor effective, and as purported by the manufacturer. The government chose to ignore the warning signs and set its sights on shutting down clinicians and researchers who spoke out and challenged the single source of truth.
The authors acknowledge the stated purpose of the mandates was to 'increase vaccination rates among workers to ensure the continuity of public services'; an interesting insight by the research team especially when compared to the public messaging 'to get the vaccine to save your grannie'. The truth was however, that the mandating of thousands of public workers to include hundreds' of doctors, nurses, carers and midwives was to keep our public services open and the country's infrastructure up and running.
It is no surprise to many then that the mandates backfired and had 'limited effect on increasing vaccine uptake'. What is clear is that the mandates had a 'substantive negative effect on the employment, earnings and wellbeing of unvaccinated health workers.' Many will never recover from the loss.
NPANZ believes nurses, doctors, carers and midwives should be allowed to work without prejudice, in a role of their choice, and in order to support a failing health system. Sadly, the mandates exacerbated existing health worker shortages but the shortfall will remain as many unvaccinated nurses refuse to return to a workforce that let them down and broke their hearts.
How can this research lend itself to mending broken hearts and aid a public health service that is struggling?
Whilst we await the full published results of this study, plus the outcome of a full and extended Royal Commission of Inquiry into all aspects of the pandemic, we would like to see health workers publicly invited back to work, given an apology in relation to harms caused and financial reparation.
According to the research, 'mandates should be used judiciously'; we would like to add that common-sense and kind heartedness should be applied liberally.
Deborah Cunliffe RN
President, Nurses Professional Association of New Zealand (NPANZ)
