27832 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

27832 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Further to reply 16884 (2026), does the infection prevention and control advice relied upon to prohibit NZNO stickers also apply to the "I've had a flu jab" stickers Health NZ distributed to clinicians in the same clinical areas; if not, what is the specific clinical difference between the two stickers?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that Health New Zealand’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines apply, as required, across all clinical settings. This means IPC strategic guidance regarding all the risks and impacts of the industrial action including the wearing of stickers in clinical areas applies equally to both union stickers and “I’ve had a flu jab” stickers. I am further advised that the wearing of union stickers was specifically considered in the Clinical Adjudicator’s determinations related to strike action. These determinations required striking NZNO members to continue to comply with IPC, health and safety requirements, and Nursing Council standards, and confirmed that patient care and safety must not be compromised by the display of political or industrial messaging. The wearing of “I’ve had a flu jab” stickers is not part of strike action and, therefore, was not specifically addressed in or bound by the Clinical Adjudicator’s determinations.