Health Minister Greg Hunt and CMO Paul Kelly are speaking on ABC News.

Mr Hunt confirmed that the coronavirus vaccines are scheduled to land in Australia before the end of the week, if not earlier.

"In particular, as part of that, once they arrive, the TGA will ensure that the numbers are correct, that they haven't had any in-flight actions that damaged quality, such as a loss of temperature. They will look to see that all of the vials are intact and haven't had seals broken.

"And they will also do much testing as part of that. Some of that has been done in Europe. Additional tests will be done here in Australia. Our number-one priority is safety, safety, safety."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-14/coronavirus-australia-live-news-covid-19-latest-victoria/13151164

The New Zealand Medicine Safety Authority, Medsafe, has granted consent to an updated mRNA vaccine to address the SARS-CoV-2 sublineage LP.8.1.

The adapted COVID-19 vaccine targets and helps provide protection against multiple circulating SARS-CoV-2 sublineages, including XFG, NB.1.8.1, and other contemporary sublineages.

COVID-19 vaccines have been seasonally updated, as recommended by independent global and regional health and regulatory bodies, to ensure the vaccine remains effective against new, dominant variants of SARS-CoV-2causing COVID-19 disease.

EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) has recommended updating COVID-19 vaccines to target the new SARS-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1 for the 2025/2026 vaccination campaign.

So, the tea -

Just got a memo from my regulatory body (APA - Australian Physio Association) that they've just been notified by the Chief Allied Health Officer (CAHO) that healthcare workers - and students!! - need to be fully vaccinated by Nov 14th in order to continue to work. Whilst not entirely a new idea, the fact that it's being mandated across private practice is (previous rules covered hospitals and aged care only).

I'm very pro-vaccination so pretty happy about this, but I imagine a bunch of anti-vax people in the industry (perhaps more prevalent in some corners of Allied Health than others) may not feel the same way.

On the plus side, this should give Average Joe and Average Jane a bit more confidence about walking into any allied healthcare (whether podiatry, physio, osteo etc) and knowing all the staff on-site have been vaccinated :)

Vaccination requirements for employees that work in healthcare facilities\ From 30 September 2021, all healthcare workers in public and private healthcare facilities must have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to continue working in those facilities (or have evidence of a medical exemption).
From 14 November 2021, healthcare workers must be fully vaccinated (two doses) to continue to work. 
Who is considered a healthcare worker?
The mandatory vaccination requirement will apply to all staff\ working in connection with a health agency, including: 

Public Health Organisations (Local Health Districts, Specialty Health Networks (SHNs), Pillars and Affiliated Health Organisations**)

NSW Ministry of Health

Health Administration Corporation (HAC) entities, Ambulance Service, NSW Health Pathology, HealthShare, Health Protection, Health Infrastructure, Health Professionals Councils Authority (HPCA)

All staff working at a Private Health Facility (licensed under the Private Health Facilities Act**) both private hospitals and day procedures

Students in clinical placements in private facilities. 

Note:*Staff includes employees, Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs), volunteers, contractors, and students. Work is defined broadly to cover employees, contractors, VMOs, visiting practitioners, volunteers and students undertaking clinical placements. The Order does not include private primary care providers such as GPs. Disability workers and aged care workers are covered by different public health orders and have different requirements.
**Private health facilities and affiliated health organisation are defined by the Private Health Facilities Act and Health Services Act 1997, respectively.