As Australia enters its fourth year of navigating the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s aged care sector is grappling with a troubling trend: a growing vaccine hesitancy among staff.
A recent poll conducted in an aged care worker support group revealed that only 23% of respondents would consider getting vaccinated again in the event of a major outbreak or new pandemic. Alarmingly, 69% were adamant they would not get vaccinated again, and a further 8% were undecided.
This shift in attitudes is a stark contrast to 2021, when aged care workers were among the first in Australia to receive access to COVID-19 vaccines and were mandated to take two doses.
The government’s approach was clear – protect the most vulnerable, including elderly residents in care homes, by ensuring that staff were vaccinated. However, the long-term impact of these mandates, combined with concerns over vaccine injuries, may have led to a deepening mistrust in the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
One of the most prevalent reasons for vaccine hesitancy among aged care workers is a perceived connection between the COVID-19 vaccine and a range of health issues.
Many staff members reported personal or second-hand accounts of adverse reactions, and these stories have resonated deeply within the workforce. A recurring theme is the development of chronic health conditions post-vaccination.
“I was as fit and healthy before my jab,” said one respondent. “Had three as it was compulsory. After that, I got rheumatoid arthritis, ganglions on my feet and hands, and nerve issues. We were forced into this.”
Another worker commented, “Ruined my life and had a reaction; still paying the price. I had to quit as my health made me unemployable.” These narratives echo the concerns of a significant number of staff, who, having experienced severe reactions or observed the suffering of loved ones and colleagues, are now resolute in their refusal to participate in future vaccination campaigns.
The adverse reactions cited range from rheumatoid arthritis to rare skin conditions such as Bullous pemphigoid, a condition typically seen in older adults but which affected a worker as young as 26. While these individual cases cannot be universally attributed to the vaccines, the perceived link between the jab and subsequent health issues has been enough to foster a sense of fear and scepticism.
Concerns over vaccine injuries are not without basis. Global research has now identified some of the side effects linked to specific COVID-19 vaccines.
For instance, the AstraZeneca vaccine has been associated with a rare blood-clotting disorder, while the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been linked to heart inflammation. These side effects, while rare, have contributed to the growing unease among aged care workers and others who are hesitant to receive further doses.
In addition to these recognised side effects, some workers report ongoing, unexplained symptoms—often referred to as “grey area” reactions—that have yet to be officially recognised as vaccine-related by the medical establishment.
These include conditions such as tinnitus, nerve pain, and chronic fatigue. Many of those experiencing these symptoms have found themselves locked out of the government’s compensation scheme, which was specifically set up to support individuals who suffered vaccine-related injuries. The lack of support has only deepened the sense of frustration and alienation within the workforce.
If this trend continues, the consequences for Australia’s aged care sector could be profound. A mass exodus of workers, driven by vaccine mandates or the fear of further health complications, would create a crisis at a time when the sector is already under immense pressure.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how fragile the aged care workforce is, with many workers leaving the industry due to stress, burnout and vaccine mandates.
A mass departure of staff due to vaccine hesitancy could exacerbate these challenges, leaving elderly Australians at increased risk.
In such a scenario, the sector could face significant staffing shortages, resulting in reduced care standards and heightened risk of infection spread in aged care homes.
The potential for an overwhelmed healthcare system during future pandemics would be a harsh reality, especially considering the vulnerable populations that rely on these workers.
Not all aged care workers share the same concerns about vaccination. Some workers, having experienced firsthand the devastating effects of COVID-19 on their residents, view vaccination as a necessary safeguard.
One respondent shared, “I have had every jab available. I only caught COVID once and had no symptoms. As someone over 55, I have no issues. Happy to do my bit to keep my residents safe.”
For others, the experience of working through the first outbreak and witnessing the horrors of the virus has made them more resilient and willing to comply with vaccine mandates.
“I worked through the first outbreak, and we did not know what we were dealing with,” one worker recalled. “People were dying, and many staff left the industry. I’ve never caught it, but I did my part to protect my residents.”
As Australia contemplates the future of its aged care workforce, it’s crucial to acknowledge the delicate balance between public health measures and individual rights.
The scientific consensus remains that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines—such as reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and death—far outweigh the potential risks. However, as new research continues to identify side effects like blood clotting and heart inflammation, it’s important to recognise the real concerns of those affected.
The Australian government’s COVID-19 inquiry, released in October, was critical of the lack of transparency and the perceived heavy-handed approach to lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and compensation schemes.
This has further eroded public trust and led to feelings of alienation, particularly among those who feel they have experienced adverse reactions but are unable to access support through the government’s compensation scheme.
In light of this, it’s vital that aged care workers’ voices are heard and that a compassionate approach is taken to address their concerns. A future mass exodus of workers is not just a possibility—it is a looming threat that could undermine the health and safety of Australia’s elderly population.
A balance must be struck between public health imperatives and the need to support the workforce that cares for some of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
As Australia faces the possibility of future pandemics, the question remains: can the aged care sector retain enough staff to protect the elderly in the face of rising vaccine hesitancy, or will we find ourselves unprepared for the next crisis?
