Key workers’ jab mandate extended

Workers in healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facility, quarantine accommodation and food distribution have been given extra time to get their third shot.

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A third dose mandate for workers in key sectors will be extended by one month, the Department of Health has announced.

Workers in the healthcare, aged care, disability, emergency services, correctional facility, quarantine accommodation and food distribution sectors – who are eligible to receive an additional jab by January 12, are now required to get their third dose by March 12.

The deadline was initially February 12.

Workers who have not received a third dose by that date must provide evidence of a booking, otherwise they cannot work.

Workers in those key sectors who were not eligible to get their booster shot by January 12, must get their third dose by March 29.

They must provide evidence of being triple vaccinated or provide a medical exemption by an authorised practitioner to be able to attend work.

Employers must also confirm the employee has received their third dose and keep a record of workers’ third dose vaccination status, in line with the Pandemic Order issued.

A nurse administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a drive through vaccination centre in Melton. Picture: Getty Images

Victoria has recorded 9391 Covid cases and 16 deaths on Thursday.

There are 543 people with Covid in hospital, with 75 in intensive care and 23 on ventilators.

More than 93 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state has 55,946 active cases.

Premier urges people get jab the moment they feel well

Premier Daniel Andrews warned that Victorians who have had Covid should be getting the jab the moment they feel well amid speculation Melbourne Storm player Nelson Asofa-Solomona is using a prior infection to train.

Asofa-Solomona earlier this year refused to get vaccinated and was believed to be scoping out moves to other countries with less stringent requirements.

But he has now returned to training, with the Storm advising he had the “necessary information and certification to comply with the requirements of the Victorian and Queensland governments to allow him to return for training and to play”.

It is believed he is operating under a rule that exempts him from vaccine mandates for as long as four months after a prior infection.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona earlier this year refused to get vaccinated. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Andrews said he would not comment on individual cases but said there was no real excuse to drag out getting the jab.

“I’m certainly not briefed on that person’s medical history,” he said.

“There are rules in place about recency.

“So if you’ve had the virus then there are rules in place and again ATAGI.

“The advice from the chief health officer, the advice from Victorian officials, is that as soon as you feel well, you should get your next dose, whether that be a second dose or a third dose.

“Medical experts tell us that there might be some protection for a short period of time, but there will be much more protection for a much longer period of time if you’ve got three doses.”

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been provisionally approved as a booster shot. Picture: AFP

TGA APPROVES AZ FOR THIRD JAB

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been provisionally approved as a booster shot against Covid-19 but it has come with some recommendations.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration on Wednesday night confirmed it had approved the vaccine, otherwise known as Vaxzevria, for a booster dose in people aged 18 and over.

Though it said other big mRNA vaccines — Pfizer or Moderna — were the “preferred” booster dose in Australia and recommended a consultation with a medical professional before receiving the jab.

“The third (booster) dose may be given if clinically indicated with reference to official guidance regarding the use of a heterologous third dose (e.g. mRNA vaccine),” it said in a statement.

“This means that the decision to receive Vaxzevria as a booster must be made in consultation with a medical professional.

“The mRNA Covid-19 vaccines (Corminaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) are preferred as the booster dose in Australia, irrespective of the Covid-19 vaccine used.

“This includes for people who received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for their primary use.

“Australians can be confident that the TGA’s review process of this vaccine was rigorous and of the highest standard.”