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Mandatory vaccination of residential aged care workers

The Australian Government is working closely with the states and territories to implement the National Cabinet decision to mandate that at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by administered by mid-September 2021 for all residential aged care workers.

In an effort to ensure national consistency, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has considered the key parameters and endorsed the approach to defining who the relevant directions will apply to and the targeted exemptions that may be available.

States and territories are currently finalising their draft public health orders and directions. We expect further information on the specific application of these orders, including processes for managing exemptions and compliance with the orders, will be released soon.

Vaccination is strongly encouraged for all people entering a residential aged care facility and a range of mechanisms remain open to support residential aged care workers to access a vaccine. Further information on the Australian Government’s vaccination program is available on the Department's website.

Department of Health

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