30 September 2021
Mandatory vaccination
The Chief Health Officer COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Directions (No 4) has now been released. This follows the announcement on 19 September 2021 by the Victorian Government that all healthcare workers would be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine.
The direction has been issued pursuant to section 200(1)(d) of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) and requires all staff members in public and private dental practices to be vaccinated, including dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists, oral health therapists, dental therapists, dental prosthetists, dental assistants and receptionists. It also appears that the requirement extends to a person who is engaged as a contractor to perform services including cleaning, maintenance, repair and IT support.
The onus is on the employer or operator to ensure that they know the vaccination status of their staff by 15 October 2021.
Key dates
15 October 2021: Relevant date for employers to collect vaccine status information.
29 October 2021: Deadline to have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
15 December 2021: Deadline to have received the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Information required
If the staff member is partially vaccinated, the owner must collect, record and hold information about whether that worker has a booking to receive the second dose of a COVID-19 that will enable them to be fully vaccinated by 15 December 2021.
If the staff member is unvaccinated, the owner must collect, record and hold information about whether the worker has a booking to receive the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 29 October 2021.
Transition measures
If a staff member is unvaccinated after 15 October and has a booking for the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 29 October, they are allowed to continue to work but must at a minimum wear a surgical mask and face shield at all times whilst on the premises.
If a staff member is unvaccinated after 15 October and does not have a booking for the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 29 October, they are not permitted to remain on the premises for the purposes of work.
Find out more on our vaccination member information webpage (member log in required).
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