Eight-year-old Harrison Williams can't use a mask, wash his hands, or socially distance from others, to keep himself safe from COVID-19.
The Gold Coast boy has a rare form of muscular dystrophy and he relies on support workers for everyday tasks like eating, showering and going to school.
But in Queensland, the people taking care of him do not have to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
His mother, Linda Williams, said her son was already one of the most at risk of catching the illness and dying from it.
"If Harrison caught COVID, his respiratory system would be affected and he would be one of the people that would be in ICU," she said.
Queensland is one of the few places in Australia where vaccination is not already — or soon to be mandated — for disability support workers.
New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have directives in place.
'Matter of life or death'
Prominent disability advocacy groups have argued there was no justifiable reason for a similar order to not be imposed by the Queensland government.
Queensland Advocacy Incorporated spokeswoman Matilda Alexander said, "this is a matter of life or death".
Ms Williams said she feared the risk to her son would heighten when Queensland's borders were opened from next month.
Health authorities had already warned cases and deaths would spike in Queensland after the restrictions were eased from December 17.
"It's scary to think that," Ms Williams said.
Similar easing of restrictions overseas had seen people with a disability being disproportionately killed by the virus.
In England, six out of 10 deaths involving coronavirus last year were in people with a disability.
"No family should have to choose between getting adequate support and getting safe support," Ms Alexander said.
"Every family should be able to get appropriate supports and know their loved ones are safe."
In a statement, a Department of Health spokesperson said although a health directive had been made from all of its clinical and non-clinical staff, a separate public health order would be needed for disability workers.
"Queensland Health may consider extending the mandate to vulnerable people and/or settings," the spokesperson said.
