Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has asked Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy to investigate how to make the vaccinations compulsory and whether it will require legislation following a number of deaths at retirement villages and aged care homes around the country.
Currently there is no requirement for aged care workers to be vaccinated under law.
Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt has also ordered the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) to conduct an urgent review in response.
“Older people are always vulnerable to the flu, but the many deaths this year are unacceptable,” he said.
This year has been the worst flu season on record with over 105,000 cases nationally, despite over 4.5 million doses of the influenza vaccine being given free to those most at risk including people aged over 65.
