No patient contact for unvaccinated GPs: RACGP president

While there are doctors with valid health reasons for not having a COVID-19 vaccine, they will have to 'redeploy' off the front line, says Dr Karen Price
Geir O'Rourke
Dr Karen Price
Dr Karen Price.

GPs and practice staff who cannot or will not have a COVID-19 vaccine should be moved from any role involving patient contact, says RACGP president Dr Karen Price.

National cabinet is currently considering making vaccination mandatory for all healthcare workers, with both the college and AMA demanding rules covering general practice.

Under the college’s plan, the only exception would be non-clinical staff, like cleaners, with no interaction with patients and those with contraindications to the available vaccines.

“There are exceptions to every rule, and a small percentage of us may have valid health reasons that mean they cannot be vaccinated,” Dr Price wrote on the college website.