Professor Andrew Carr is director of the immunology and HIV unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and a professor of medicine at the University of New South Wales.
COSBOA announced its engagement with Professor Carr amid expectations that once a vaccine becomes available and people begin choosing to be vaccinated or not to be vaccinated, many small businesses will experience issues with workplace relations, customer interactions and expectations of the community.
In announcing the consultation, COSBOA chief executive Peter Strong said that when a COVID vaccine becomes approved and available, it will face a new challenge around understanding not just when but how a vaccine might be introduced, as well as the subsequent issues small-business people will face, particularly for those that employ other people.
“We need information from experts to inform our advice and our policies. It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Professor Andrew Carr will be providing the information that we need,” Mr Strong said.
Professor Carr stated he’s pleased to be able to support COSBOA with its activity on this issue.
“We need to get the right message on the vaccine development process and on managing the process of vaccination to the community if it is to be as safe as possible. The opportunity to work with the council can only enhance the process and help dispel the misinformation that always occurs in a crisis, and particularly with vaccines and new medical products and processes,” he said.
“I know that the medical authorities will follow the process needed to ensure a vaccine is safe and safely administered when one is developed. Governments and health authorities will also ensure that there will be equitable and timely access for the different groups and communities in Australia.
“I also know that small-business people are everywhere and are an important source of information for people, and are also places that must be safe in this crisis.”
