18 February 2022
Dear Colleagues
On 8 February 2022, I released a Revised Major Change Proposal and draft Policy seeking your further input and feedback on a proposal for all staff to be either vaccinated against COVID-19 or to submit regular Rapid Antigen Test results.
I am writing to advise that the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy will now be adopted and implemented, effective Monday 28 February, subject to some minor modifications and amendments arising from the staff consultation. The final documents are attached herein and will be loaded into the University’s policy library in due course.
This has been a very difficult issue to grapple with and I thank the many staff who took the time to offer their considered and constructive feedback.
The overwhelming majority of staff expressed very strong support for a vaccination mandate. Many also expressed support for the alternative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) regime for those who remain unvaccinated.
The evidence is clear that COVID-19 vaccines save lives and represent our best chance of defeating this pandemic. I would therefore like to thank and acknowledge the vast majority of staff and students who are already vaccinated, and repeat my call for everyone else, save those medically exempt, to seek a full course of vaccination with a TGA-approved vaccine at your earliest opportunity.
I do, of course, respect the rights of those in our community whose choice is to decline COVID-19 vaccination. However, it is clear that the TGA, through its rigorous approval process, has deemed the current approved vaccines as safe for use in the fight against COVID-19 and as such, arguments against the safety and efficacy of vaccines are not supported by the decisions of the peak approval body for vaccines in Australia.
The decision to introduce RATs for the unvaccinated should not, therefore, be misinterpreted as an acceptance of any arguments against the safety and/or efficacy of vaccines. Instead, the use of RATs is in recognition that the pandemic is dynamic and that we may be passing the peak of the current omicron wave in South Australia. The use of RATs will be reassessed if the current wave escalates or should further waves/variants emerge.
A similar approach has been developed for students that will require information on vaccination status or use of RATs and this will be communicated to students shortly.
Ultimately, the intent of these policies is to provide the safest possible environment for all staff and students at Flinders University. It represents an important part of our response to the pandemic and enables staff and students to engage confidently with every aspect of the University and get the most from our vibrant and engaging on-campus culture.
Please be assured that we will actively monitor the situation and keep this policy under regular review. The policy will be reconsidered in line with the advice of public health authorities and the best available evidence.
The Director People and Culture will provide details on Monday on how to record evidence of your vaccination status in Workday noting many staff have already provided it due to the various public health directions.
Once again, thank you to all who have contributed to this process.
Best wishes,
Colin