New questions and answers will be added from time to time so keep checking back for new information. New entries display at the top of the page.

Note: Should you have a medical reason for not being vaccinated against Covid-19 and/or be concerned about termination of your employment being under consideration by your employer please contact NZNO for advice or support on 0800 28 38 48.

COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021

On 23 January 2022, the Government updated the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order to require people working in a variety of settings to receive booster doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. three doses in total for most people).

The following groups of NZNO members are covered by the Order:

  • Members working in managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQ), 
  • Members working in the health and disability sector, 
  • Members working in prisons, 
  • Members working at the border (e.g. ports and airports), 
  • Members working in the education sector (e.g. schools). 

Members working in MIQ, in the health and disability sector or at the border must receive their booster dose before the later of either:

  • 25 February 2022, or,
  • The date 183 days after the date on which they were fully vaccinated (for most people, when they received their second dose). 

Members working in prisons and the education sector must receive their booster dose before the later of either 

  • 1 March 2022, or,
  • The date 183 days after the date on which they were fully vaccinated (for most people, when they received their second dose). 

All NZNO members covered by the Order should have been fully vaccinated (two doses for most people) by 1 January 2022. 

NZNO supports the Government's policy of requiring health care workers to be vaccinated. Most health care workers are already vaccinated, and this Order provides reassurance and certainty to both health care workers and the public accessing health care services. 

The safety and wellbeing of health care workers is the key to overcoming the Covid-19 crisis and high levels of community vaccination help keep NZNO members safe. 

For clarity, a mandatory vaccination order simply means the Government has decided that Covid-19 vaccination is essential for people filling the affected roles. It does not mean that anyone is forced to get a vaccine.  

It is NZNO's view that members who are covered by the Order and decline the vaccine are potentially putting their jobs at risk. Being vaccinated has become a legal expectation of health care workers. Based on recent case law, NZNO does not see a wide range of options for members who choose not to be vaccinated for reasons other than any legal exemption.

NZNO's role in a pandemic situation

Question:

What is NZNO's role in a pandemic situation?

Answer:

NZNO is committed to supporting members in their professional and industrial endeavours. As such, NZNO’s role in a pandemic is to:

  • Provide NZNO members with access to the latest information associated with a pandemic or disaster
  • Support nurses, midwives and other health care workers in preparing for a pandemic or disaster
  • Work with agencies including the Ministry of Health to ensure systems and processes are in place to support and protect NZNO members and other workers in health
  • Support agencies including local district health boards in preparing for a pandemic
  • Support nurses, midwives and agencies during the recovery phase
  • Support NZNO members with industrial and professional support where employment issues arise.

NZNO has a published guideline: Obligations in a pandemic or disaster that sets out both employer and employee responsibilities during a pandemic.

See also the NZNO media release: Employer and employee rights and obligations during a pandemic, 7 February 2020.