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Queensland Is Considering Making Covid-19 Vaccination Mandatory For Students And Teachers

Queensland Is Considering Making Covid-19 Vaccination Mandatory For Students And Teachers

Education Minister Grace Grace​ says 'everything is on the table' when it comes to protecting the community.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Australia is waiting in anticipation for the coronavirus vaccine that offers a chance at returning to normal life.

While the Federal Government has confirmed that it won't be mandatory to get the jab, Queensland is considering making it compulsory for students and teachers.

The state's Education Minister, Grace Grace, says 'everything is on the table' when it comes to protecting the community.

PA

"Obviously we will address it as a government when we come to it," she said, according to News Corp.

"It would be a policy decision of governments around the state about how we do this and I'm sure the department will enact whatever the decision is made.

"But I think the National Cabinet will probably drive a lot of that decision making about vaccination and compulsion to do so."

She will have to investigate the state's legislature to see whether they would be able to make the Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for people in schools and whether the National Cabinet would be able to assist.

However, it's worth noting this is just one plan of many in the bid to get people vaccinated against the pandemic. There are likely many more being looked at that don't involve forced injections.

There was talk a few months ago that the Morrison administration would encourage people to get the jab when it becomes available and that's when the word 'mandatory' was being thrown around.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has since confirmed there are no federal plans to introduce a 'No Jab, No Play' rule when the vaccine is approved for Australia.

PA

The only thing that will be mandatory is that providers will have to give details of all vaccinations, including Covid-19, and put them on a national register.

Mr Hunt said Australia's regulatory process will continue at its pace following news the UK had approved the Pfizer vaccine for mass use from next week.

"Frankly the work done in the UK will give Australia and the world very important data, very important lessons, both on the rollout and the efficacy of this particular vaccine but vaccines more generally and symmetrically positive development for the world," he said.

Mr Hunt believes the regulatory process to approve the vaccine in Australia should be completed in January and there are hopes the first rounds of vaccinations could be done in March.

He's revealed the first people in line for the jab will be health workers and aged care residents and the last will likely be children. According to The New Daily, some federal politicians will also be first in line.

They won't be cutting in line, but they want to illustrate that it's safe for people.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia