Media release
22 September 2021
The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) welcomes today’s advice from the Victorian Chief Health Officer that vaccination will be made a requirement of work for staff in early childhood settings to protect our children, workforce and communities.
‘The Victorian Government’s clear commitment to, and legislation of, vaccination for the early learning and care workforce will support our members to further increase the safety of children and their workforce,’ said ELACCA CEO Elizabeth Death.
‘Early learning and care services already implement stringent health and safety measures, and this adds yet another string to our bow, enhancing the safety of our children and that of our experienced, dedicated workforce,’ Ms Death said.
‘Importantly, early learning and care services already have regulatory requirements for ventilation and access to outdoors.
‘We thank the Premier, Minister and the Government for heeding our calls to place a high priority on keeping our children and dedicated workforce safe and enable our members to provide the essential early learning and care services that our families and communities rely on.
‘Early childhood educators have been getting vaccinated at a rapid rate, which is a measure of their professionalism and their commitment to staying safe. The new mandate will formalise the sector’s already strong performance in vaccination uptake.’
