The WA branch of the Australian Nursing Federation says a COVID-19 vaccine mandate could result in hospitalisations for aged-care residents.

Aged-care workers have until Friday to get their first jab ahead of the federal government’s mandate that all workers in the sector be vaccinated.

Almost 1500 aged-care workers in Western Australia are yet to receive the jab, with hundreds having resigned in protest to the mandate

State Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation Mark Olsen says the policy could lead to aged-care residents ending up in hospitals

“If we don’t get more of our aged-care staff vaccinated, and yet more of them have to leave, then those residents that we can’t care for are going to turn up in our state hospitals,” he told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings.

“All we’re saying … is that we’re looking for a softer landing, not a hand landing.

“I think the smart thing for the state government to grant some exemptions, for whatever reason, so long as they’ve got a plan to get vaccinated.

“What we don’t want to see is wholesale terminations of this most precious resource, and that is aged-care workers.”

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