Catholic Health Australia (CHA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) have welcomed Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Greg Hunt’s announcement that he will prioritise aged care residents for vaccine boosters – but they want the workers included.
Mr Hunt said on Wednesday that he hoped Pfizer booster jab clinics will start in aged care homes in the second week of November – just a few weeks away.
CHA – which is the largest Not For Profit provider of health and aged care services in Australia – made a call for booster shots to be approved urgently for the aged care sector on 1 September as immunity in vaccinated people declines after about six months, meaning Mr Hunt’s announcement is timely.
90 per cent of residents and workers have had two jabs
90.3 per cent of all aged care residents – 161,736 – agreed to be double dosed and 90.1 per cent of aged care workers – 260,002 – have been double-dosed as of 19 October.
“Aged care residents are the most vulnerable and we need to put them first as they were the ones that were vaccinated the earliest. That should also include those who are receiving home based care,” said CHA CEO Pat Garcia (pictured).
“But, as we continue to learn from experience, it is vital to ensure that everyone in the system receives a booster. This must include all staff working in aged care. Only then can we be sure that our clients and of course our employees have the best immunity available. Australia has the capacity to do it and so it would be good to see a more co-ordinated approach to vaccination among this cohort.”
Second rollout should be “smooth and fast”
ACSA CEO Paul Sadler agreed that workers must be included in the booster shots to aged care residents.
“Putting aged care residents and workers at the front of the queue for vaccine boosters is important for keeping older Australians and our staff as safe as possible on the frontline of the pandemic,” he said, adding there are over 300 aged care homes where resident vaccination rates sit below 70 per cent.
“Lessons need to be learnt from the first rollout to ensure it is smooth and fast. On-site vaccination teams are the best way to make it easy.”
Mr Hunt said he hoped third doses of the Pfizer vaccine would be delivered after the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) meet next week.
Around 500,000 immunocompromised people are already eligible to receive a third dose of vaccine.
With NSW and Victoria both easing their restrictions – but COVID-19 still set to circulate in the community – ensuring our Mums and Dads and the people who support them continue to be protected is critical.
