Webpoll nod to rehiring unvaccinated nurses

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Most voters responding to this week's web poll question think Te Whatu Ora Health NZ should be rehiring nurses and other health workers who were laid off because they refused to be vaccinated for Covid-19.

The question was, “Do you think Te Whatu Ora Health NZ should be rehiring nurses and other health workers who have not had Covid-19 vaccines?” A total of 377 people responded, with 237, or 63 percent, voting “yes”. In the “no”camp were 131 votes, or 35 percent. Nine people (2 percent) were “undecided”.

Comments from the “yes” voters included, “Health care has strict protocols such as compulsory masks, and PPE gear. Everone I know who is fully immunised has caught Covid, not from patients but family and friends. So I do not see the value of making vaccines compulsory. Patients have the option of declining care from an unvaccinated carer/nurse, so give them the choice.”

Another supporting the move said, “Why not utilise those who have not been vaccinated? Would help those staff who are overworked.”

One or two other “yes” voters thought it was “common sense” to rehire the nurses based on the chronic staff shortages in hospitals, and that the fact that nurses knew the value of “being hygenic”.

One respondent on the other side of the argument said, “The medical philosophy of Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ has vaccination as a major factor in all its medical practices. Those who do not subscribe to it should be involved elsewhere.”

And from another “no” voter, “If a health worker doesn't have the basic medical knowledge to know that a vaccine is the best way to protect against Covid-19, then I wouldn't want them anywhere near my or my family's medical needs.”

Other “no” comments:

' “Covid-19 still exists and patients are vulnerable. So I don't think they should be cared for by those who aren't vaccinated.”

' “Health workers need to be vaccinated. Period.”