Dear
Re: Updated mandatory vaccination requirements
I am writing to inform you about an update to the requirements for mandatory vaccinations for residential aged care and healthcare workers in Victoria announced by the Victorian Government.
A new pandemic order that comes into effect 11.59pm tonight Wednesday 12 January
2022, requires workers at residential aged care and healthcare facilities to be fully vaccinated (boosted) by the dates set out below.
A person is fully vaccinated if the person has received:
- one dose of a one dose COVID-19 vaccine; or
- two doses of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine, including two different types of two dose COVID-19 vaccines.
Fully vaccinated (boosted) means that a person has received a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. A person has received a booster dose if they have received:
- a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine after receiving one dose of a one dose COVID-19 vaccine;
or
- a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine after receiving two doses of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine including different types of two dose COVID-19 vaccines.
The new pandemic order follows on from the previous Public Health Direction that mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in residential aged care and
healthcare facilities in Victoria.
Booster deadline for Residential aged care facility workers
- For workers that became fully vaccinated on or before 12 September 2021, the booster deadline is 12 February 2022.
- For workers that
became fully vaccinated after 12 September 2021, the booster deadline is 1 March 2022.
Booster deadline for Healthcare workers
- For workers that became fully vaccinated on or before 12 September 2021, the booster deadline is 12 February 2022.
- For workers that became fully vaccinated after 12 September 2021, the booster deadline is 29 March 2022.
A ‘healthcare worker’ includes allied health professionals:
- employed or engaged as a contractor by a healthcare operator to perform health services at a healthcare facility. This includes students and volunteers.
A ‘healthcare facility’ includes:
- hospitals, including outpatient settings and in reach services
- community health centres and services including mental health, child, and maternity
- general practices
- COVID-19 related healthcare sites, including testing sites, vaccination centres and hotel quarantine premises
- health clinics, including medical specialist and allied health professional operated clinics
- premises at which mobile health services are provided
- premises at which healthcare students undertake placement, registration or internships.
A ‘residential aged care facility worker’ includes allied health professionals:
- employed, or engaged as a contractor, by an operator that operates a residential aged care facility to perform work at the residential aged care facility. This includes students on placements.
Workers who are unable to have a COVID-19 vaccine can request a COVID-19 vaccination exemption for medical reasons.
Please stay safe and if there’s anything we can do to assist you during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact the
office on 03 9940 3900 or email info@audiology.asn.au.
Yours sincerely
Dr Tony
Coles
CEO