Aged care providers must make a vaccination program every year available to workers and volunteers and keep a record of everyone, including residents, who have been offered and had a vaccination after the Federal Government made it mandatory following the severe flu outbreaks last year.
Many providers already offer these programs, but the Government says this will ensure we meet the 95 per cent vaccination rate recommended to create ‘herd immunity’ or resistance to the disease.
However it reinforces the need for visitors to be vaccinated too. Aged care provider Goodwin says if you have been in contact with someone who has a cold or flu and then develop symptoms, you should not enter an aged care facility for at least eight days.
It’s good advice – but not a fail-safe measure. If you are a regular visitor, why not get a vaccination?
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advises you should be vaccinated between mid-April until early June. I’ve made my appointment – will you?
Discussion1 Comment
If the Government thinks this initiative will create 95% herd immunity, its absolutely rubbish. Herd immunity means everyone who comes in contact with residents, including their visitors. This doesn’t happen in a society were the flu immunisation rate is just 29%.
So the imitative is bound to fail.