WHO says COVID-19 vaccine is a necessity for hospital staff

DUBLIN: The World Health Organization (WHO) says the COVID-19 vaccine is a requirement for some hospital staff. Vaccination is mandatory for hospitals, respiratory technicians, intensive care physicians and nurses. This will ensure the safety of staff and patients.

The World Health Organization does not recommend that vaccination be made compulsory in any country. But that requirement can be decided by the employer.

The WHO’s immunisation director, Professor Kate O’Brien, said that several countries have succeeded in making jabs compulsory for children to ensure school access.

Prof. O’Brien and Dr. Michael Ryan, director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said that there are countries and hospitals where people have the professional conditions to be vaccinated.

“The reality is, most people want these vaccines. This is a massive potential victory for global health. People are demanding these vaccines, people want these vaccines… it is a victory of human endeavour, potentially over a microbial adversary… and there’s hope with that,” Dr. Ryan said.

“And yes, we have to continue to bring people along on that journey, but I don’t think we should necessarily focus on the negative aspects here. We need to convince people, and we need to persuade, and we need to open dialogue on this issue,” he added.