Aged care workplace COVID-19 vaccination push

The federal government has rolled out an incentive program to encourage vaccination providers to give aged care and disability workers the COVID-19 jab, while Hall & Prior has become the first WA aged care provider to offer in-house vaccinations.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced today the federal government was offering additional payments to vaccination providers which establish clinics onsite to ensure residential aged care workers can access a vaccine before it becomes a mandatory requirement on September 17.

Until October 31, GPs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics which prioritise workplace vaccinations for aged care and disability support workers will be able to access additional payments for every dose administered.

The incentive payment will be made when a minimum of 50 cumulative COVID-19 vaccination doses are provided to aged care and disability workers across facilities as part of on-site vaccination clinics.

According to data released two weeks ago, just 25 per cent of workers in the aged care sector were fully vaccinated, despite being eligible for the vaccine since February 22.

About 43 per cent had received the first dose.

Meanwhile, WA aged care provider Hall & Prior has taken matter of vaccinating aged care workers into its own hands.

The aged care provider has acquired vaccines, set up its own clinics and administered COVID-19 vaccinations to staff at its metropolitan and regional homes this week.

It established a clinic at its Tuohy Aged Care Home in Midland to give its Perth staff their first jabs. Two regional homes in Donnybrook and Albany have also held their own clinics.

Hall & Prior chief executive Graeme Prior said the Department of Health gave the provider the right under contract to deliver the Pfizer vaccine from the national stockpile to its staff and residents.

“Giving our residential aged care home staff the vaccine as a priority will help protect our residents who are some of the most vulnerable in our society,” Mr Prior said.

The provider has 17 aged care facilities in Western Australia and 12 homes in New South Wales.