The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is proposing a temporary amendment to the Communicable Diseases Act that would oblige social and health workers to receive vaccination against the Covid-19 virus.
The change only applies to those working closely with patients at risk and would take effect immediately if approved, according to ministry representatives.
However, it would also include a transitional period of one month to make the necessary vaccination arrangements.
According to the ministry’s representatives, the change is aimed at preventing social and health care personnel from exposing patients at risk of serious illness to the virus.
The risk groups are the elderly living in nursing homes and the seriously long-term sick.
The vaccination mandate would apply to all healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors, as well as to all those who work closely with at-risk groups, including cleaners and those who provide food in nursing homes.
According to the proposal, workers should provide evidence of Covid-19 vaccination less than six months before the start of their shift.
Workers can refuse to take the vaccine if they have a valid medical reason to do so. In that case, they should prove a negative Covid-19 test result obtained no more than 72 hours before the start of their shift.
The change would also give social and health care employers the right to be informed about the vaccination status of staff.
In addition, it would oblige the employer to ensure that healthcare workers do not pose a threat to patients at risk.
The proposal will be submitted to Parliament for approval. If it gets the green light from legislators, the new rules would be in place until the end of 2022.
Source: The Nordic Page