Vaccines have been front and centre of all news related to COVID over the last couple of weeks – and it’s hardly surprising.
The speed at which coronavirus vaccines have been developed is remarkable, and the Government has launched a $23.9 million advertising campaign to help convince Australians to get a vaccination when they become widely available.
With the announcement that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Pfizer vaccine for distribution, saying it met the, “high safety, efficacy and quality standards required for use in Australia,” the country’s most vulnerable citizens can expect their first jab in a few weeks’ time.
But what will this look like in aged care settings?
A five-phase vaccination rollout
The Government has indicated that it would like to roll out the vaccine doses in a five-phase program, with aged care staff and residents at the front of the queue.
Phase 1a, which includes aged and disability care staff and residents, is expected to be implemented in February, with the Government estimating 678,000 people to fall in this category.
The idea is to vaccinate those most at risk of an infection, and those most at risk of passing on potential exposure to other residents.
National Cabinet rules vaccinations not mandatory
But it’s not so clear cut yet.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was advised at last Friday’s National Cabinet meeting that aged care workers should not be required to be vaccinated against coronavirus with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) saying public health orders should not be required to mandate the vaccine at this stage.
“There is currently a lack of evidence regarding effectiveness at preventing transmission and there is not yet a clear date by which all residents, staff, visitors and carers will have had an opportunity to be vaccinated,” the advice to the PM read.
Actively encouraged to get the vaccine
The PM says he does not believe this decision will put residents at risk.
“I have no doubt if there were concerns about the well-being of vulnerable Australians, particularly elderly Australians, that they would make such a recommendation,” he said.
That being said, Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd said aged care staff and residents will be “actively encouraged” to get the jab.
“We are anticipating a very high uptake,” he said.
This is good news.
While additional details are still to be determined, at the end of the day the most important thing is keeping our Mums and Dads – and the people who care for them – safe.
