Those staff who cannot for medical reasons receive the vaccine or who decline should wear asurgical/procedural masks while providing care or be re-deployed elsewhere. The row centres on what unions see as unilateral moves by the HSE to put in place a new system regarding vaccination of healthcare workers. The HSE said on Wednesday that staff working in high-risk areas will have to receive the flu vaccine, noting that under “mandatory risk assessment proposals, healthcare worker positions will be categorised by HSE line managers as either Category A, Category A high risk or Category B”. The HSE has said it is “highly recommended” for all healthcare workers to receive the flu vaccine, and that “it is required for those in Category A high-risk positions (including healthcare workers, students, contractors, and other clinical personnel) to receive the vaccine and provide evidence of having done so by October 30th”. Those in Category A high-risk positions that are unable to receive the influenza vaccine for medical reasons must provide evidence from their doctor or treating specialist.

Source: The Irish Times September 16, 2020 18:56 UTC