The WA nursing union has warned about 30 percent of aged care workers will leave the sector if forced to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

A survey of 4,000 members working in the sector found 62 percent are against mandatory vaccines.

The Australian Nursing Federation WA state secretary has written to the Premier, the Prime Minister and the country’s Chief Health Officer pleading with them to offer choice.

Speaking with 6PR’s Liam Bartlett Mark Olson said if workers leave the sector it would be devastating.

“It is the most difficult area to attract staff, and if we were we to loose 31 per cent, I’m not sure we would ever recover from such a departure of staff,” he said.

“The government needs to be careful about putting in place policies that will only cause harm to the residents they say they are trying to protect.

“It’s not about whether the ANF is pro-vaccine, we are, it’s not about whether our members are pro-vaccine, they are, it’s about what is the pragmatic way to ensure the widest possible coverage of vaccinations.”

Press PLAY to hear why nurses are concerned about the vaccine 

However, the chief advocate of National Seniors Australia said it’s disappointing those working with our most vulnerable are against mandatory vaccines

Speaking with Oliver Peterson, Ian Henschke said Australians need to think about the consequences by keeping perspective.

“The end game has to be that everyone has to be vaccinated, otherwise we’re going to end up like places like Italy.

“Maybe we are living in a bit of a fool’s paradise,”

Mr Henschke believes its problematic that 31 percent of WA nursing union members would leave the aged care workforce if they were forced to have a Covid-19 vaccination.

Press PLAY to hear what National Seniors think of aged care workers refusing the jab: