Political battle lines over the third COVID-19 vaccine dose have been drawn in Victoria, with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy fighting against the booster being mandated for key workers, including teachers.
With so many people having already had COVID-19 in Victoria and daily case numbers dropping, experts have questioned the long-term need for community-wide vaccine mandates, while also supporting the short-term benefits of the policy for critical sectors including schools.
Over the past two weeks, Premier Daniel Andrews has ramped up the rhetoric, saying he expected that Australia's vaccine advisory body (ATAGI) would likely rule that the definition of fully vaccinated would be changed to require three doses.
Mr Andrews flagged that Victoria could extend its vaccinated economy – locking out unvaccinated patrons from some retail, hospitality venues and events – with three doses required rather than two.
Return to school casts spotlight on teachers' vaccination status
ATAGI is yet to make any ruling, but the state government has highlighted how mandates in 2021 helped Victoria and NSW reach the goal of having more than 93 per cent of their populations double-dose vaccinated.
So far 39.3 per cent of Victorians have had a third dose, which is increasing by about 1 per cent daily.
Already the Victorian government has extended the vaccine mandate to include the third dose for workers in healthcare, aged care and disability services, teachers, emergency services, prison workers, quarantine accommodation and food processing and distribution workers (excluding retail).
At a parliamentary inquiry on Monday, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton revealed that he had not been asked for advice on extending the vaccine mandate to reflect three doses.
"Professor Sutton's comments yesterday show that the Premier himself has subjected Victorians to the con of the decade, claiming all his decisions are based on health advice — they are not," Mr Guy said.
The Opposition Leader, who is trying for a second time to unseat Mr Andrews at an election, said the Coalition opposed the booster mandate for the general Victorian community.
This week, primary and secondary students finally returned to the classroom.
Mr Guy said it should not be mandatory for teachers to get the booster – rather they should be encouraged to do so through education.
"We're not going to mandate third and fourth and fifth boosters. That's just getting silly," Mr Guy said on Tuesday.
Public comments on Mr Guy's social media posts regularly call for the opposition to oppose and end all mandates, and his resistance to the booster rules have been welcomed but many want the Coalition to go further.
There is a risk that the policy may frustrate voters, especially parents, who want to ensure their kids are as safe as possible at school.
Even experts who say blanket mandates have run their course advocate for compulsory vaccinations in schools.
Polling last year showed also showed very high support for workplaces only allowing vaccinated staff on site.
Experts say more urgency needed in booster rollout
Experts say boosters have been critical in fighting both infections and the spread of the virus, with promising evidence that the third dose provides protection for a year.
Epidemiologists Tony Blakely and Catherine Bennett both told the ABC that with cases declining in Victoria and so many people already having been infected, the community-wide mandate was no longer needed.
"I don't think triple-dose vaccination in hospitality is proportionate anymore, but in schools it is fair to be cautious,'' Professor Blakely said.
Dr Bennett agreed that everything should be done to protect children and said with teachers already mandated to have two doses it was not a big challenge for teachers to get their booster.
Professor Blakely also said the government must have levers to pull if another variant emerged that required action, including re-introducing vaccine mandates or compulsory mask wearing.
He said governments must prepare for that threat by stockpiling good-quality masks and ensuring RATs were available.
Dr Bennett said there needed to be an emphasis on the benefits of the third dose.
She also said some previously hesitant people would now get vaccinated with Novavax.
Fellow epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter said it was critical for people to get the third dose and said mandates could play a role in the short-term.
"It makes some sense to protect those who haven't or can't get vaccinated and also to give a nudge to people who haven't had their booster yet,'' she said.
The uptake of the booster, despite availability, has not been as swift as the government had hoped for.
Professor Baxter said workplaces were a good place to vaccinate people and said outreach programs into at-risk communities was necessary.
There will be little resistance from unions if the mandate is extended.
Trades Hall secretary Luke Hilakari said the organisation supported the health advice, especially if it helped protect the community and those working on the frontline.
"If a third dose is required [to be] fully vaccinated, we absolutely support it," Mr Hilakari said.
"When it comes to Matthew Guy, you either support the health advice or you don't."
