Consultation into new health bill - including mandatory vaccinations - closes this coming Monday, October 14
A consultation into the shape of a new health bill – including whether it should give the government powers to force people to get vaccinated – is set to close on Monday.
It began in June under the health minister Mike Nesbitt.
The DUP has raised a number of concerns about it, and has stressed that it is opposed to mandatory vaccinations.
Mr Nesbitt's plan is that a new bill should "update" the existing Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967, so the government can "respond to 21st century public health emergencies".
It is envisaged that the bill will "update certain powers around restrictions on employment, quarantine, isolation and medical examination".
For what this means in practice, one has to peer deep into the dense text of the 79-page consultation document.
On page 47, it suggests that regulations which could be made under the bill include ones:
• "Requiring a person to submit to a medical examination;
• "Be detained in a hospital or other suitable establishment…
• "Keep a person in isolation or quarantine…
• "Require a person to [get] vaccinated or to receive other prophylactic treatment…
• "That the person wear protective clothing…
• "That the person provide information or answer questions about the person’s health or other circumstances…
• "That the person’s health be monitored and the results reported…
• And "that the person abstain from working or trading".
The consultation questionnaire then asks (at question 28): "Do you agree or disagree with the proposed 'restrictions and requirements' that may be included in health protection regulations?"
Mr Nesbitt himself has been quoted as saying: "I am not in favour of mandatory vaccination even in limited and tightly prescribed circumstances.
"Nevertheless, it is right that we have a public conversation about all potential options in the public consultation."
The DUP, in its response to the consultation this week, said "we are fully supportive of the intention to introduce a new Public Health Bill".
However, it said Mr Nesbitt's approach failed "in respect of the need to uphold the rights and dignity of individualsin our society" and unless it changes, the party will oppose the bill.
Diane Dodds MLA said: "We are absolutely clear that sweeping powers should not be handed to the minister of health to impose restrictions which directly impact private and family life, education, employment and movement."
To respond, type this address into your browser - shorturl.at/2uEuW - or email [email protected]