No images? Click here Need to knowYour official eNewsletter from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of NSW Special edition: Your professional obligations, COVID-19 and vaccinations Can I express my personal opinion on vaccination?Nurses are among the first Australians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and they are playing a key role in vaccinating everyone else and educating the public about the vaccine. We have recently noticed a spike in complaints from nurses, their employers and the public concerning unreliable information surrounding COVID-19 and the vaccine. It is okay to have questions, concerns and opinions about the vaccine. However, nurses are trusted professionals who are viewed as such by the public, so it’s critical that you are aware of the power of your words and actions. In fact, Ahpra and the National Boards recently published a joint position statement that makes it clear any promotion of anti-vaccination statements or health advice which contradicts the best available evidence or seeks to actively undermine the national immunisation campaign (including via social media) is not supported by the National Boards.[1] This can result in real life consequences for the public and for you, including a complaint about your practice and possible regulatory action such as the imposition of conditions on your registration.
The JBI Levels of EvidenceClick here to complete the evidence-based practice learning modules on NSW Health’s CIAP website to sharpen your capability in this area. What about sharing my opinions in a private capacity, such as on social media?The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s Social media policy provides clear guidance to nurses and midwives when using social media. It is unambiguous in stating that when using social media, in any context, the National Law, the NMBA’s code of ethics and code of conduct apply. The NMBA’s Codes of professional conduct is extremely clear in stating that all nurses and midwives have a responsibility to conduct themselves personally and professionally to exemplary standards and in a way that maintains public trust and confidence in the professions.[5] This means that nurses and midwives are expected to use the best available evidence when providing information to the public about public health issues, regardless of the setting. It is an offence under the National Law to advertise a regulated health service (including via social media) in a way that is false, misleading or deceptive. Advertising that includes false, misleading or deceptive claims about COVID-19, including anti-vaccination material, may result in prosecution by Ahpra.[6] Worried? Voice your concernsYou can voice any concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine in a safe, supportive environment through the Australian College of Nursing’s anonymous COVID-19 Disclosure Portal. Remember, regardless of personal opinions, nurses can still share factual information about the vaccine in a professional manner. We have collated the following list of key facts and useful resources to keep nurses informed, safe and prepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
References[1] Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - All profession information. (n.d.). Australian Health Practitioners Authority. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/COVID-19/All-profession-information.aspx [2] Ingham-Broomfield, R. I. B. (2016). A nurses’ guide to the hierarchy of research designs and evidence. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 33(3), 38–43 [3] Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - Position statement on nurses, midwives and vaccination. (n.d.). Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Position-Statements/vaccination.aspx [4] Immunizing the public against misinformation. (2020, August 25). Who.Int. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/immunizing-the-public-against-misinformation [5] Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia - NMBA position clear, we will take action on anti-vaccination promoters. (2016, October 20). Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/News/2016-10-20-statement.aspx [6] Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - All profession information. (n.d.). Australian Health Practitioners Authority. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/COVID-19/All-profession-information.aspx [7] ICMRA statement about confidence in vaccines (for the general public) | International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA). (n.d.). International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities. http://icmra.info/drupal/en/strategicinitiatives/vaccines/statement_general_public [8] C. (2021, March 2). Safety and reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal. https://anmj.org.au/safety-and-reactogenicity-of-covid-19-vaccines/ [9] C. (2021, March 2). Safety and reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal. https://anmj.org.au/safety-and-reactogenicity-of-covid-19-vaccines/ [10] C. (2021, March 2). Safety and reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal. https://anmj.org.au/safety-and-reactogenicity-of-covid-19-vaccines/ [11] COVID-19 vaccination: information for the NSW community - Vaccination. (n.d.). NSW Health. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/vaccine/Pages/community.aspx [12] COVID-19 vaccination FAQs - COVID-19 (Coronavirus). (n.d.). NSW Health. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/covid-vaccination-faqs.aspx [13] COVID-19 vaccination FAQs - COVID-19 (Coronavirus). (n.d.). NSW Health. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/covid-vaccination-faqs.aspx [14] ICMRA statement about confidence in vaccines (for the general public) | International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA). (n.d.). International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities. http://icmra.info/drupal/en/strategicinitiatives/vaccines/statement_general_public We acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the Eora Nation and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. |