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PEOPLE who are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccination will soon require a certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register to be exempt from the jab.
Deputy chief health officer Ben Cowie said some GPs had reportedly faced quite significant pressure from some people who don't want to get the vaccine for reasons beyond the limited exemptions.
He said some had even been travelling from clinic to clinic seeking an exemption.
More news: Bendigo records 29 new COVID-19 cases
From 6pm on Friday, new directions will come into force meaning Australian Immunisation Register medical exemption form is to be used to provide patients proof of medical exemption to any vaccination requirements in Victoria.
It can then be accessed through myGov just like the vaccination certificates.
"So for people who currently have an exemption letter that is not the Australian Immunisation Register form, such as a standard letter or certificate from their GP, they will need to return to their medical practitioner so that the AIR form can be submitted, and this will need to occur November 12," Professor Cowie said.
"Up until that date, they can continue to use their doctor's certificate or letter as they are now."
Earlier
Victoria has recorded 1,923 new local COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths as the state prepares for another easing of restrictions tomorrow.
There are now 22,189 active cases of the virus in Victoria, and 272 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
Another 82,000 people were tested for the virus an over 21,200 people received vaccinations.
A total of 746 people are now hospitalised with the virus, the Department of Health says.
The numbers were recorded as regional case numbers climbed by another 226 people ahead of an easing of social distancing restrictions on Friday.
Twenty-nine of them were based in Greater Bendigo.
Victoria's COVID commander Jeroen Weimar said climbing regional numbers were to be expected.
"Frankly, that is what we expect to see over the weeks ahead as we start to reduce restrictions and we start to move around more across our state," he said.
WATCH: Wednesday's COVID-19 update can be found here.
Victoria's double dose vaccination rate inched to 76.5 per cent and was still expected to reach the 80 per cent milestone by the end of the week.
Aged care and disability workers' immune systems are also expected to be bolstered soon with booster shots after the Therapeutic Goods Administration gave provisional approval on Wednesday.
The move has been welcomed by the Rural Doctors Association of Victoria, which says the Pfizer booster shots will help combat waning immunity six moths after people's second vaccinations.
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