COVID-19 – Is every effort being made to vaccinate the most vulnerable people in society aged care residents?

The first COVID-19 vaccination of aged care residents took place in February 2021 and there are very few aged care residents without a third dose of the vaccine.

However, as 6,000 COVID-19 deaths in residential aged care facilities nears (more than one in four of all COVID deaths in Australia), the above graph shows that the number of residents with the booster vaccination has dropped away.

Yet there are 88 residential aged care homes (mostly in NSW and Victoria) with an active outbreak of the virus, as of 31 August. Four residents died over the seven days previous. 

“The latest advice from our vaccination experts is that, if you’re aged 75 or older and it’s been at least six months since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose, it’s time to top up your protections with an additional dose,” Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, said on 1 September.

The National COVID-19 Health Management Plan states that the Australian Government’s commitment to prioritising care and supporting people at risk will be delivered through “supporting high levels of vaccination among people at risk of severe COVID-19 or death and workers in settings with increased risk of outbreaks occurring (for example, residential aged care homes and disability care facilities)”.

Roald Versteeg, ACCPA General Manager Policy and Advocacy, said older Australians are the most vulnerable to COVID.

“Residential aged care homes are responsible for ensuring residents have access to recommended COVID 19 vaccine doses,” he said.

The SOURCE: The words of the Department of Health and Aged Care and Mr Butler appear hollow.