It is important to ensure the safety of our community, especially older people.
Older age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19.
Regular vaccination is the best protection from severe illness, hospitalisation or death from COVID-19.
The recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is:
- People over the age of 75 years or older to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose if six months has passed since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
- Those aged 65 to 75 years should consider an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose if six months has passed since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
The COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time as the annual flu vaccine.
Why Aged Care residents are at risk:
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is not just about protecting yourself from getting sick. It also ensures that we have high rates of immunity as a population, which helps protect those most at risk, particularly older people who can suffer very poor outcomes if they get do catch COVID-19.
All providers accredited under the Aged Care Quality Standards determined by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission are required to ensure that all residents are offered vaccination and are supported to be vaccinated. This also includes a requirement for facilities to have Outbreak Management and Prevention Plans.
Booking a vaccination
Information and updates about COVID-19 vaccinations are available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website: COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 vaccines are available with:
- Coordinated through an RACH Health Professional
- a GP
- Pharmacy
- An Aboriginal Medical Centre
- or find a provider via health direct service finder.
- call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.
Antiviral treatments
Oral antiviral treatments are available to people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
If you are aged 70 years or older, or have a risk factor, talk to your GP or nurse practitioner about whether an oral antiviral suits your health needs
You must start oral antiviral treatments within 5 days of symptoms starting or testing positive for COVID-19.
Oral antiviral treatments help stop COVID-19 infection from becoming severe, learn more: https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/treatments/eligibility
How Healthy Ageing Coordinators can help:
Country to Coast, Qld’s Healthy Ageing Coordinators are ready to support all local RACHs in their vaccination program. Our aim is to prioritise those homes with lower rates of vaccination to help them identify any barriers to vaccine access and ensure those facilities have vaccine provider support.
COVID-19 Resources:
Resources from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged care are available: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/managing-covid-19/government-support
Learn more about accessing COVID vaccinations: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/information-for-aged-care-providers-workers-and-residents-about-covid-19-vaccines/residential-aged-care-service-providers