Healthcare students will not be allowed to go on hospital placements if they refuse to take their Covid-19 vaccine.
The move from the HSE refers to unpaid clinical placements, and therefore doesn't apply to final year students who are considered part of the healthcare workforce.
In a letter to Third Level Institutions, which was seen by the Irish Mirror, the HSE's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said that such measures are for "the safety of patients, staff and students" and that this has always remained a "key priority".
"Following consideration, the HSE Covid-19 Vaccination Working Groups has taken the following decision and I ask that your institutions now apply this to all student placements in HSE facilities with effect from April 1st, 2021", he wrote.
"Students that are eligible for vaccination, that have been offered vaccination and declined vaccination, should not be assigned to clinical placements in HSE facilities. This may be reviewed as the epidemiological situation evolves.
"Please note that for those very exceptional circumstances where there is specific and documented medical contradiction to vaccination for a healthcare student, an individual risk assessment should be performed by the higher education institute to determine if a suitable placements can be designed that minimises the risk to patients and to the student."
