The Premium Debate: Subscriber views on bayofplentytimes.co.nz

Tauranga Hospital. Photo / George Novak

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It has been confirmed that 123 Bay of Plenty District Health Board staff have been stood down because they were not vaccinated against Covid-19 by yesterday .

The Bay of Plenty DHB had the second-highest number of staff stood down in New Zealand, followed only by Waikato DHB with 154.

Our Premium network subscribers have their say. Have yours by going to rotoruadailypost.co.nz and becoming a Premium subscriber.

I'm double vaxxed. I respect other people's right to choose whether or not to get the jab. They have more to fear from me than I have from them. But if they get sick, they ought to pay for their own treatment.
- David B

The date for dithering and fence-sitting has now passed. They have made their choice. Their employment should be immediately terminated. I wish them well in their new careers.
- Peter D

I'm a Kiwi currently travelling in the US. I've never cared if the person next to me is vaxxed or not. I support the teachers and healthcare workers, it's their bodies and their choice. Similarly, I will not shun any friend who decides not to be vaccinated even though I am. The Government is wrong to mandate.
- Steve C

It's absurd to have unvaccinated nurses. They probably imagine that the hospitals won't be able to function without them, people always think that in organisations. But they always do. Give them a week or two to consider their options and then let them go. I have talked to teachers in a similar situation and they are so self-absorbed that they think the world will change to suit them. It won't. They will need to get new jobs. It will be a tough Christmas. But nothing like having Covid.
- Ross W

If a frontline health worker presents with Covid the hospital/clinic has to close for a couple of weeks. This is the last thing we need if health resources are stretched to breaking point by the pandemic. But what about all the other, non-Covid medical services? How do you explain to an accident victim, a stroke victim or a heart attack victim that the hospital had to be closed because someone refused vaccination? The integrity of the whole system is at stake. The unvaccinated have to get the jab now, and go while there is still time!
- Colin J

Our healthcare and education systems were already under severe strain before this mandate. I can't see why allowing the unvaccinated to test instead is a bad thing. It keeps them off benefits and in roles we need them for. At least with the test you know they don't have Covid. A vaccinated person could still be carrying the virus and therefore be more dangerous.
- Catherine M

I prefer my healthcare workers to believe in science.
- Kristi H

In life we have choices. Choices have consequences. These people have had ample time to get vaccinated. No sympathy.
- Mark X

- Republished comments may be edited at the editor's discretion.