Authorised workers in Melbourne and regional Victoria must have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15 October in order to continue working on-site, the Premier Daniel Andrews has announced.

From 26 November 2021, the requirement will increase to having had two doses or a medical exception.

The mandate is also for “commercial operations that supply goods or service necessary for the implementation of measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. For example: manufacturing of personal protective equipment or hand sanitiser.”

Andrews said the mandate has been made based on advice from the Burnet Institute and public health officials.

“All of our health workers are working their guts out to be there for us and they need us all to do our bit and get vaccinated, so we can continue on our pathway to opening,” he said.

The 15 October deadline will not apply to workers who already have existing requirements under CHO directions – groups like construction, freight, healthcare, aged care and education will still have to comply with previous advice.

The state government also announced it is expanding its GP and pharmacy grant program to priority LGAs in regional Victoria and doubling the number of grants available for the existing LGAs – providing its primary care network with $4,000 and $10,000 grants to boost their hours and staff.

There will also be a walk up Moderna blitz from 4 October to 10 October at the following sites:

• Melton Vaccination Hub (Bunnings)
• Sunshine Vaccination Hub
• Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Royal Exhibition Building
• Sandown Racecourse Vaccination Centre
• Frankston Community Vaccination Hub
• Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre
• Dandenong Palm Plaza
• Former Ford Factor Campbellfield
• La Trobe University site in Bundoora
• St Francis Xavier College Officer Campus

Minister for Health Martin Foley said, “If you’ve been putting it off or waiting to get vaccinated, don’t wait any longer. The best vaccine is the vaccine you can get today, and we all need to do our bit to protect the community and get back to the things we love.”

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