Workers in the WA disability sector covered by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate must receive a third dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine within one month of becoming eligible.

Read the full direction: Booster Vaccination (Restrictions on Access) Directions

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) vaccines as the COVID-19 third doses.

• Anyone who was eligible for their third dose on 24 December 2021 must have their third dose by 5 February 2022.
• From 25 December 2021 onwards, once a person becomes eligible, they must have their third dose within one month.

When attending a vaccination clinic for their third dose, people must present evidence of their vaccination status, which could be:

• an Australian Government COVID-19 vaccination certificate or an Immunisation Statement recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.
• an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate issued by the Australian Government.
• written confirmation issued by the WA Department of Health of the COVID-19 vaccination received by them.

People with exemptions need to provide evidence of their exemption to their employer. If the person does not provide this evidence, they cannot enter or remain on work sites.

Organisations are required to keep a record of their employees’ and volunteers’ vaccination status.

Visit www.rollupforwa.com.au to book a booster dose and to view a full list of vaccination locations, which include state run clinics, GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal Medical Services.

Providers are reminded that the Department of Health’s Carramar clinic supports people with disability, mental health conditions, who require a low sensory environment or may need other additional support to receive their vaccination.

COVID-19 Preparation Guidelines released

The Department of Health has released advice on COVID-19 preparation and response in congregate living facilities (see "Community Care Providers") which includes:

• COVID-19 preparation and response guidelines for congregate living settings [PDF]: Covers planning and preparedness, testing and isolation, the principles of outbreak management
• First 24 hours of an outbreak in a congregate living facility [PDF]: A breakdown of what to do and when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19
• COVID-19 congregate living facility documents required for submission to Department of Health in event of an outbreak [PDF] A quick reference checklist.

Webinar: Living with COVID-19: Preparing for WA borders opening

NDS is hosting a webinar on Tuesday 11 January to provide an opportunity to discuss concerns ahead of borders opening and to explore some of the complex situations that sector providers will face. Register for the webinar