Ireland mulls mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers

Ireland’s National Public Health Emergency Team is considering whether to introduce mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers, according to Irish media.

The issue was raised at a meeting earlier this month, where complications related to the ethics, legality and logistical feasibility of such a move were discussed. 

While some countries have already introduced such a mandate, so far, Ireland has kept vaccinations voluntary, opting instead to remove unvaccinated healthcare workers from responsibilities that involve interacting with patients. 

A report on the issue is reported to be prepared by the Department of Health. Also discussed at the meeting, the Irish Times reports, was whether further “proactive” measures could be implemented in hospitals, such as the delivery of booster vaccines upon admission or rolling out testing for anyone entering a healthcare setting. 

Officials noted, however, that an effective response to rising infection rates would need to be multi-pronged. 

Ireland has a high vaccination rate but has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, leading to the reintroduction of restrictions. Concern over the emergence of the new Omicron variant also led the government on Tuesday to bring back the requirement for a negative test result before arrival in the country, regardless of a person’s vaccination status. 

(Molly Killeen | EURACTIV.com)