“When you’re the first taxi out of range to get vaccinated … you’re the first to be eligible, from the point of view of decreased immunity, for the fourth dose,” Andrews said.
“So we’re going to do something about it … and try to make sure all our staff have access to a fourth dose as soon as possible.”
Andrews will urge the nation’s top vaccine advisors to consider including health workers in the cohort eligible for a fourth dose and requesting the supply of vaccines in Canberra.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization currently recommends a fourth dose only for Australians over the age of 65 and those at higher risk for serious illness, including young people with underlying conditions. The fourth dose can be given four months after booster.
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People 64 and under who do not have underlying risk factors are not eligible for a winter reinforcement.
When asked if a fourth dose could be required for health workers in the future, Andrews pointed to state pandemic legislation, indicating that responsibility for key health decisions now rests with Health Minister Martin Foley.
Under the new pandemic-specific legislation, Foley is making public health orders following regular pandemic briefings and expert advice from health director Brett Sutton and his team.
A Victorian government spokeswoman said the state was continuously assessing the need for vaccine warrants.
“Healthcare workers have higher levels of exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases and are supported by investments in personal protective equipment, mask adjustment tests and effective vaccines,” he said.
“Vaccines protect both workers and their patients from contracting COVID, getting sick, ending up in hospital or, in tragic circumstances, dying. Obtaining COVID also affects their ability to work and therefore affects the ability of health services. to staff its hospitals “.
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