Protecting Older Australians - COVID-19 Update 28 May 2021

Published 3rd June 2021

Supporting aged care workers on COVID-19 vaccination

There are a range of resources available to support residential and in-home and community aged care workers to decide about, and know where to access, a COVID-19 vaccination. This includes information in 19 languages.

For residential aged workers, you can access a range of material on the Department of Health’s website including factsheets, posters and a video message featuring Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alison McMillan and Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation’s Annie Butler. You can video the video at  COVID-19 vaccine rollout to aged care and disability care workers in Australia - YouTube

For in home and community aged care workers, and people receiving these services,  you can learn more about options for COVID-19 vaccination via the in-home and community aged care COVID-19 vaccine factsheet. These materials are now available in 19 languages.

COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne

The Department of Health is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne, Victoria. All residential aged care facilities are reminded to follow and stay up to date with your state or territory public health directions as these can change quickly. All Australians are encouraged to be alert to the latest advice as issued by your state or territory health departments.

Residential aged care facilities should continue to operate under COVID-safe guidelines and remain vigilant.

Information and resources are available to assist you in preparing and managing a COVID-19 outbreak, including what to do in the first 24 hours of an outbreak in a residential aged care facility.

Sonic Pfizer Macquarie Park clinic now open

The Sonic HealthCare Pfizer clinic located in Macquarie Park is OPEN NOW for residential aged care and disability workers aged under 50 years for a COVID-19 vaccination. The Macquarie Park clinic opens today Monday 24 May from 12.00pm – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 1.00pm Saturday/Sunday. Eligible workers can book an appointment now via the Sonic Healthcare vaccinations website or call 1300 379 878.

The Macquarie Park clinic is the third vaccination clinic to open in Sydney dedicated to residential aged care and disability workers. The Blacktown Pfizer clinic is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm, seven days a week.

The Campbelltown Pfizer clinic is open from 8.00am – 6.00pm, seven days a week. These clinics are for Sydney-based residential aged care and disability workers aged under 50.

REMINDER: What to do if a person misses their second Pfizer dose

Residential aged care facilities are reminded that you should contact your local PHN to report aged care residents and others who have missed their second Pfizer dose at a second dose in-reach vaccination clinic.

Primary Health Networks (PHNs) are coordinating local solutions for individuals who have missed their second Pfizer dose. Options may include:

• attending another aged care facility
• referral to a Pfizer hub
• a roving in-reach team re-visiting the facility.

Residential aged care facilities should work with your PHN to ensure individuals can access a vaccination.

REMINDER: Vaccinating residents who have not been vaccinated through an in-reach clinic

There may be instances where existing or new residents have not received a COVID-19 vaccination through the Commonwealth’s in-reach Pfizer vaccine clinics. This could be due to:

• being unwell or absent for the first dose clinic
• not giving consent to receive a vaccine at the first dose clinic
• having moved into the facility after the first or second dose clinic.

Residents requiring two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can receive an AstraZeneca vaccine through a:

• general practice
• visiting GP
• Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic (GP respiratory clinic)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service.

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout progresses, advice will be given if other options for vaccination become available.

Source:
Unknown Author, 2021, Department of Health (https://www.health.gov.au/)