Coronavirus scott morrison covid 19 vaccine access brought forward mandatory aged care workers 20210604 p5y77g.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Government 'leaning heavily' toward mandatory vaccination for aged care workers

9News Staff

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged significant changes to the national COVID-19 vaccination program following a meeting of National Cabinet.

Mr Morrison said a record number of doses had been delivered in the past 24 hours.

"We are now over a million doses in 10 days," he said.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he is "leaning heavily" towards making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for aged care workers. 9News

READ MORE: Victoria and PM reach deal on quarantine hub

"It has grown to three-quarters of a million a week, and that has been a significant improvement."

About 20 per cent of the adult population have received their first dose around the country.

Mr Morrison said the National Cabinet had agreed to expand access to the jab, including bringing forward access for 40- to 49-year-olds.

The government is also seeking to enforce a mandatory vaccination regime for aged care and disability care workers.

"We have had further advice from the AHPPC to advise how that can be done, including a timeline of how that can be achieved," Mr Morrison said.

In the meantime, Health Minister Greg Hunt said, from June 15 it would be mandatory to report all aged care worker vaccinations.

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"We know at this point in time that we have 78,000 vaccinations of aged care workers, but aged care workers can also be vaccinated outside of the facilities," he said.

Access to the COVID-19 vaccine will be increased nationwide. Getty

READ MORE: New unseen coronavirus strain identified in Australia

"So we have asked all facilities to step forward, and it will be mandatory for them where an aged care worker has been vaccinated outside the facility, to provide the information."

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Mr Morrison said any vaccine mandate would be issued through a public health order.

While the ultimate decision will rest with states and territories, Mr Morrison said the stance was supported by all levels of government.

More and more Australians are stepping up to get vaccinated. Supplied

READ MORE: Queensland boosts vaccine rollout

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"We need to look at how we can do this safely but the first point is, if you're working in aged care, indeed in disability care ... we encourage you to go and get that vaccination," Mr Morrison said.

"The first priority is to ensure residential aged care facility residents themselves are vaccinated because they are the ones most at risk."

Mr Morrison also said vaccination certification would soon be available through the Medicare app and as a digital wallet, which would be available next month.

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