Aged care COVID-19 vaccination rates raise concerns

Australian health authorities are sounding the alarm over low COVID-19 vaccination rates in residential aged care facilities, highlighting a potentially dangerous gap in protection for one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson has put residential aged care providers on notice, stating, “There is no excuse for any residential aged care service to be under-prepared for COVID-19.” She emphasised that supporting residents to understand the benefits of vaccination and facilitating access is a key responsibility of providers.

Recent data reveals a concerning trend. Last month, nearly two-thirds of people over 75 weren’t up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. The situation is particularly dire for certain groups, with only 11% of older Australians who struggle with English being current with their COVID-19 shots.

Commissioner Anderson warned of potential regulatory consequences for providers failing to address low vaccination rates. “Where we find that a provider lacks interest and/or capability to take the necessary action, and their ongoing inattention to this vital preventative measure is placing residents in harm’s way, there will be regulatory consequences,” she stated.

The Commission plans to conduct unannounced site visits to facilities with low vaccination rates to investigate the reasons behind the shortfall and assess providers’ efforts to address the issue.

Health experts stress the critical importance of vaccination for this demographic. “Old age is the biggest risk to becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, and people living in residential aged care are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 infections,” Commissioner Anderson noted.

To combat this issue, the federal government has introduced new measures, including data transparency and funding for pharmacists to vaccinate residents on-site. However, experts argue more needs to be done, including setting minimum vaccination targets for aged care homes and tasking primary health networks with helping facilities meet these goals.

The Commission urges residents, their families, and aged care workers to prioritise vaccination. Those experiencing difficulties accessing vaccines are encouraged to contact the Commission directly.

Ritchelle Drilon

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Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.

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