Residential aged care residents have been among the first people who can choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
On the North Coast, 16 residential aged care facilities (RACFs) have completed their second doses of COVID-19 vaccinations, another 38 RACFs have administered their first doses.
Many agencies and people are working together to help all our 80 RACFs complete their vaccination programs by the end of June. This will be a very welcomed milestone that will help protect residents, staff and visitors as we continue to enjoy a reduction in aged care restrictions.
Coordinating the rollout
The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination to RACFs is being managed by mobile vaccination squads — the current provider is International SOS, with Healthcare Australia also supporting some sites. Logistical planning for the vaccinations is complex. Bringing vaccination squads and freighting vaccines and consumables from Sydney is a challenging coordination exercise.
On the day of resident vaccinations, where there are surplus vaccines, aged care staff can access a vaccination. Alternatively, they can attend GP Respiratory Clinics or the newly set-up LHD vaccination clinics.
New residents
Healthy North Coast is working with RACFs and local GPs to develop a vaccination pathway for people entering a RACF that has already completed their COVID-19 vaccination program. More information will be available soon.
Visit HealthPathways for more information:
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