Aged care staff will receive coronavirus vaccines through workplace clinics ahead of a looming deadline for immunisation to become mandatory in the sector.
Despite being in the highest priority group for the rollout, which started on February 22, just a quarter of workers in the sector were fully vaccinated two weeks ago.
More than 43 per cent had received a first dose.
All residential staff will need to have received at least one jab by September 17 to be allowed to work in aged care.
Dedicated workplace clinics will also be set up for residential disability support employees who are in the highest priority group but not facing compulsory jabs.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government would offer additional payments to vaccination providers that set up clinics in aged care and disability facilities.
“The additional incentives are offered in recognition of the importance of vaccinating workers against COVID-19 to support the wellbeing of the vulnerable people they care for,” he said.
Anyone who works at a nursing home including volunteers and students will be required to have a coronavirus jab by the deadline.
Of Australia’s 933 coronavirus deaths, 655 have been aged care residents.
In federal aged care facilities, 2555 of 2569 have received visits to give residents a second dose with the remaining three new homes established in June.
Meanwhile, vaccine manufacturer Novavax has published results from trials in Australia and the US showing its booster shot is effective against the Delta variant.
Novavax is yet to be approved in Australia, but the government has ordered 51 million doses primarily to be used as boosters.
Another vaccine manufacturer, Moderna, is tweaking its vaccine to better combat Delta.
“I think we’re pretty worried now. If you look at the Delta variant, it took a surprising step,” Moderna’s Stephen Hoge said.
If approved for use in Australia, the company is due to supply 25 million doses from late 2021.
Of these, 10 million would be doses of its current jab and 15 million booster or variant-specific shots.
By Matt Coughlan and Georgie Moore in Canberra, AAP
