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Vaccine mandate extended to police, Defence Force

Police and the Defence Force will be required to get a Covid-19 vaccine from January 17, under new mandates announced by the Government yesterday. The new workplace vaccination requirements are in preparation for the transition to the new Covid-19 Protection Framework next week. Both Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and the Police Association have welcomed the move. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood announced yesterday that the mandate would apply to sworn members of police staff, recruits and authorised officers and all Defence Force staff. Workers will be required to get a first dose of the vaccine by January 17, 2022, and second doses by March 1, 2022. Wood said ministers had worked with police and Defence Force leadership on this, and there was broad support for the decision. Vaccination was the ‘‘greatest tool’’ in keeping New Zealanders safe, Wood said. Many individuals within both the police and Defence Force were already fully vaccinated, he said.

National News

en-nz

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://stuff.pressreader.com/article/281526524325824

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