Why an infectious diseases expert doesn’t approve of vaccine mandates (in most settings)

With COVID-19 cases again surging across the globe, an infectious diseases expert has weighed in on the need for vaccine mandates.

While COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for workers in healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facilities, quarantine accommodation and food processing and distribution workers, it’s not currently mandatory for the general population in Victoria.

Infectious diseases specialist at Sydney University, Professor Robert Booy, says vaccine mandates make sense in very selected settings — such as aged care and hospitals — where “there are medical reasons where it’s a good idea to have a mandate”.

“For people who work in aged care, in hospitals … we should be vaccinated and it should be required of us,” he told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

But for the general population, he doesn’t approve of mandates.

“In most instances people know the right thing to do and they do it,” Professor Booy said.

Professor Booy advocates for a kind approach to the unvaccinated, rather than mandates which may galvanise their opposition to the jab.

“We need to be kind to them,” he said.

“We need to say ‘There really is a sensible reason to get vaccinated – to protect yourself and your family. What are your questions? Ok, I’ll listen and I’ll answer them’, and then a lot of hesitant people say ‘Ok, I’ll get vaccinated’.”

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