South Australian healthcare workers must have one Covid-19 vaccination in three weeks

A new deadline has been announced for healthcare workers in one state to get their first Covid-19 jab, and it’s approaching quickly.

All South Australian healthcare workers must have had their first Covid jab within the next three weeks if they want to continue working.

The new mandatory vaccination direction for staff working in public or private hospitals was issued by the state government on Thursday afternoon.

The new rules require any person who engages in work or performs duties in a healthcare setting to have had at least one dose of the vaccine by November 1 in order to continue working.

The direction also requires workers to have evidence of a booking for their second dose within a month of their first one, if they are not already fully vaccinated.

The new direction applies to all healthcare workers in South Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Workers will also need to provide proof of having the jab to healthcare operators if it’s requested.

The rules apply to all clinicians, ambulance workers, allied health workers, cleaners, administrative and executive staff, and students undertaking placement, regardless of whether they work in a patient or a non-patient area.

Under the direction, healthcare workers who have a medical certificate outlining an exemption or people responding to a non-medical emergency or urgent maintenance task do not need to have evidence of a Covid-19 vaccination.