Once the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccines are better known the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the Federal Government will decide whether to make them mandatory in aged care.
Deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd confirmed to The Australian that the National Cabinet had asked the AHPPC to look into the viability of mandatory vaccines.
Aged Care Minister Senator Richard Colbeck said the AHPPC will keep the matter open for decision depending on what the medical advice ends up being.
Vaccines began to roll out in Australia this week with Sydney aged care resident Jane Malysiak (pictured) being the first in the country to receive it.
However, just days into the rollout a Brisbane doctor was stood down after two aged care residents were given as much as four times the recommended dosage of the Pfizer vaccine.
The 88-year-old man and a 94-year-old woman were rushed to hospital after the overdose but no adverse reactions have been reported.
Another hurdle around making the vaccine mandatory is having enough doses on hand to achieve that mandate, which would give the AHPPC extra time to monitor the long-term effects of the vaccines.
