The council has released a statement calling for nurses to stick to their “professional obligations” on COVID-19 vaccination.
In the guidance statement, the council said it strongly recommends nurses get vaccinated unless there were medical reasons not to.
“You have an ethical and professional obligation to protect and promote the health of patients and the public, and to participate in community health efforts.”
It said vaccination would play a “critical role” in protecting public health by reducing the risk of catching and transmitting COVID-19.
Meanwhile, it was the council’s view that there was no place for anti-vaccination messages in professional health practice.
“Nor [should there be] any promotion of anti-vaccination claims, including on social media and advertising by health practitioners.”
Nurses had a role in providing evidence-based advice and information about the COVID-19 vaccination to others, it said.
The statement said nurses should be prepared to discuss the evidence-based advice to assist informed decision-making.
Patients were entitled to this under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights, it said.