Factsheet for measure
PL-2021-52/2119
–
Updated
– measures in Poland
Obligatory COVID-19 vaccination for selected occupational groups
Obowiązkowe szczepienia przeciwko COVID-19 dla wybranych grup zawodowych
Background information
The Ministry of Health introduced a formal and binding obligation for persons working in medical occupations, staff working in health care facilities non-performing medical occupations, pharmacists and students of faculties preparing for medical occupations to get fully vaccinated by 1 March 2022.
The medical occupations concerned include:
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Doctors and dentists
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Nurses and midwives
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Paramedics
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Pharmacists
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Feldshers
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Laboratory diagnosticians
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Physiotherapists
Content of measure
The Ordinance of the Minister of Health of 22 December 2021 states that all people in active employment belonging to the specifically named occupational groups should be fully vaccinated by 1 March 2022. Full vaccinated is defined as two doses in case of all used vaccines, except for Johnson and Johnson brand for which one dose is sufficient. People who have recovered from COVID-19 (if tested positive for COVID-19 less than six months before the deadline given) and individuals not qualified for vaccination on the basis of official medical record (contraindications) are exempt from the obligation. Those bound by the regulations who refuse to fulfil the obligations risk removal from service and possibly further consequences envisaged by law.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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04 June 2023
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According to the draft decree of the Minister of Health on the cancellation of an epidemic emergency in Poland, the obligation to vaccinate against COVID-19 for selected professional groups will be lifted on 1 July 2023.
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01 February 2022
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As of early February, the situation is still uncertain, despite the Ordinance being in force. It remains to be seen, as of 1 March, whether the obligations are observed or not.
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Use of measure
Based on information available on 13 April 2022, 93% doctors were fully vaccinated (an increase of 1 percentage point compared to January 2022), 89% dentists (increase by 1 percentage point), 88% laboratory diagnosticians (increase by 2 percentage point), 85% midwives (increase by 2 percentage point), 84% pharmacists (increase by 1 percentage point), 84% nurses and nurses (increase by 1 percentage point), 79% medical assistants (unchanged) and 76 % physiotherapists (increase by 3 percentage points).
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
Social partners do not take a stand. However, five major occupational chambers (physicians, nurses and midwives, physiotherapists, pharmacists and laboratory diagnosticians) endorsed the initiative.
Views and reactions
Occupational chambers are supportive of the initiative.
Sectors and occupations
This case is not sector-specific.
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This case is occupation-specific
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Occupation (ISCO level 2)
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Health professionals
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Sources
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20 December 2021: Position of the Medical Occupations Self-government of 20 December 2021 on the proposal to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for employees in the medical professions
(nipip.pl)
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23 December 2021: Ordinance of the Minister of Health of 22 December 2021 amending the Ordinance on the declaration of an epidemic state on the territory of the Republic of Poland Dz.U. of 2021, item 2398
(isap.sejm.gov.pl)
