COVID-19 vaccination for midwives

Revocation of Health and Disability Vaccination Mandate

26 September 2022

As announced by the Government on Monday 12 September, the COVID-19 protection framework has been ‘retired’. Of relevance to you is the revocation of the vaccination mandate for the health and disability sector workers (which includes workers in aged care and residential) – that will take effect next week at 11.59pm, Monday 26 September.

The mandate was introduced to protect workers in high-risk settings from COVID-19 and help prevent transmission between workers and vulnerable people. The mandate is no longer needed now the affected workforce has a very high vaccination rate (estimated to be greater than 95 percent), and vaccination has a reduced overall efficacy against Omicron transmission.

The revocation of the order applies to the remaining health and disability workers in the following settings:

Health practitioners dealing with patients in person, such as midwives, doctors, nurses and dentists
Workers in medical centres/GP practices, pharmacies (such as receptionists or assistants)
Workers employed or engaged by certified providers – which includes hospitals, rest homes, or residential disability care facilities
Care and support workers - workers employed or engaged to provide care and support services within a home or place of residence.

All exemptions previously granted will expire at 11:59pm on 26 September. This includes both Temporary Medical Exemptions and Temporary Serious Service Disruption Exemptions. No exemption applications will be accepted after 11:59pm on 26 September.

Some businesses and organisations may choose to continue COVID-19 vaccination requirements through employment contracts - for example, the Te Whatu Ora active vaccination policies across each of the districts and entities will remain in place until a national policy has been agreed.

Guidance on employment law, health and safety law and contractual requirements can be found:

Remember:

No midwife can work without a current, valid, practising certificate, issued by Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu | Midwifery Council. Unvaccinated midwives who are eligible to return to practice after 26 September will need to apply to the Council for a practising certificate.

Midwives, please click here to sign in to your MyMCANZ portal and apply.

Previous advice provided to midwives:

Related websites:

Ministry of Health statement on the management of unvaccinated individuals in healthcare settings

Ministry of Health - Covid-19 vaccines

New Zealand College of Midwives - COVID-19: Information for Women

The Whole Truth

World Health Organization - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters

Information correct as at 29 September 2022