The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[lovetravellingoz]

Following on from my recent posts on the slow vaccination rate in Aged Care, it has now been confirmed that an aged care facility in Melbourne where not all residents were vaccinated is an exposure site.

While not all residents had been vaccinated, the worker who has tested positive has had their first dose.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Quick blame the feds

(but don't ask why most have had a vaccination but others not - medical advice? refusal from residents?)

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Quick blame the feds

(but don't ask why most have had a vaccination but others not - medical advice? refusal from residents?)

If you mean my post, perhaps re-read what I wrote.

At this stage we don't know that they refused. They may have of course.

It may be that some where unwell, or away etc, when most were done. Some may have had conditions which prevent vaccination. It may also be that some were to get Pfizer and some AZ and so where done in different stages.

However the fact is many aged care and disability care residents who wanted to be vaccinated have only had their first dose, and quite a number only very recently. My disabled brother, and everyone else in his facility, being one who was only offered their first dose this week.

By last week it really should have been the case that all residents who wanted to be vaccinated should have been vaccinated long ago with their first dose, and unless they got AZ they should have had both doses. The ones who wanted to be vaccinated should have had long enough for the vaccine to provide a high level of protection. Many have not.

The nation has let this priority group down.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Vic Presser: Evidently over half the residents vaccinated at the home. Over a third of the staff.

 

[Pushka]

If you mean my post, perhaps re-read what I wrote.

At this stage we don't know that they refused. They may have of course.

It may be that some where unwell, or away etc, when most were done. Some may have had conditions which prevent vaccination. It may also be that some were to get Pfizer and some AZ and so where done in different stages.

However the fact is many aged care and disability care residents who wanted to be vaccinated have only had their first dose, and quite a number only very recently. My disabled brother, and everyone else in his facility, being one who was only offered their first dose this week.

By last week it really should have been the case that all residents who wanted to be vaccinated should have been vaccinated long ago with their first dose, and unless they got AZ they should have had both doses. The ones who wanted to be vaccinated should have had long enough for the vaccine to provide a high level of protection. Many have not.

The nation has let this priority group down.

And as I commented in the other thread, if I was fully vaccinated and those not vaccinated had simply refused, then this granny would not be impressed at being locked away from family because of those refusals.

I don’t care who is responsible but if some residents were vaccinated and others not then likely it isn’t a distribution issue. I don’t see how the distribution channel can be blamed particularly as you pointed out, illness may have played a part but also thanks to media, the hysteria surrounding AZ. If people refuse then how is it that Australia has failed them?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Following on from my recent posts on the slow vaccination rate in Aged Care, it has now been confirmed that an aged care facility in Melbourne where not all residents were vaccinated is an exposure site.

While not all residents had been vaccinated, the worker who has tested positive has had their first dose.

View attachment 249168

Note at Vic Presser the worker is being referred to as a her, and not a him.

110 staff at the facility.

Worker was symptomatic on 28th and so is assumed to have been infectious for the two days prior.

 

[dajop]

And as I commented in the other thread, if I was fully vaccinated and those not vaccinated had simply refused, then this granny would not be impressed at being locked away from family because of those refusals.

Are family allowed to visit at the moment anyway? Presumably the excuse of visiting to provide care might be difficult to establish given that the very reason for being in the facility is for the facility to provide (physical) care. Obviously mental care is more likely to be provided by family, but is that a valid reason for leaving home?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Are family allowed to visit at the moment anyway? Presumably the excuse of visiting to provide care might be difficult to establish given that the very reason for being in the facility is for the facility to provide (physical) care. Obviously mental care is more likely to be provided by family, but is that a valid reason for leaving home?

At the two facilities I visit, no visits allowed unless a critical reason (ie as in a resident about to pass).

 

[Must...Fly!]

If you mean my post, perhaps re-read what I wrote.

It was a general comment, not pointed at yourself specifically.

 

[Pushka]

Are family allowed to visit at the moment anyway? Presumably the excuse of visiting to provide care might be difficult to establish given that the very reason for being in the facility is for the facility to provide (physical) care. Obviously mental care is more likely to be provided by family, but is that a valid reason for leaving home?

I am thinking we must surely get to a place where state wide restrictions are a thing of the past but if the forward policy is to lock down Aged care facilities regardless then this will come into play. I aso think the issue of mental health has been completely overlooked in this pandemic and that will play out over the next few months and years.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yesterday was a record for a Saturday - 59,750 and it also pushes us to a record week total of 612,935

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Jeroen Weimar today indicated that the Victorian State run facilities had their first doses completed in March/April.

The two arms of the vaccination program for aged care in Victoria have progressed on different timelines.

Note:

28 April 2021​

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All Victorian public sector residential aged care facilities have now been visited by Victoria’s hospital vaccination hub outreach teams as part of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccination program.​

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With more than 4,300 residents having now received the jab, it marks the practical completion of first doses for residents across 179 public sector residential aged care facilities – most in regional Victoria. Second doses are also currently underway.​

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The Victorian Government is responsible for vaccinating residents and staff in public sector residential aged care facilities as part of Phase 1a of the Commonwealth’s program.​

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The Commonwealth is responsible for vaccinations at private aged care and disability care facilities. Eligible 1b aged care and disability care staff and residents are also able to book an appointment at state-run vaccination centres.​

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All Public Sector Aged Care Facilities Visited For Vaccine | Premier of Victoria

All Victorian public sector residential aged care facilities have now been visited by Victoria’s hospital vaccination hub outreach teams as part of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccination program. With more than 4,300 residents having now received the jab, it marks the practical completion of...

www.premier.vic.gov.au

​

 

[Lynda2475]

Also needs to be noted that commonwealth vaccinates aged care residents onsite but staff members under 1A were to go to state run hub for theirs. 1A predominantly given Pfizer so have to ask why staff delayed starting the process of getting vaccinated.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Also needs to be noted that commonwealth vaccinates aged care residents onsite but staff members under 1A were to go to state run hub for theirs. 1A predominantly given Pfizer so have to ask why staff delayed starting the process of getting vaccinated.

Everyone has a part to play. Blaming government is a national sport of course but personal responsibility has to come in to it as well. Not everyone who works in an aged care home or healthcare setting will want to be vaccinated either. Those professions are not an exception to those who are suspicious of vaccines.

 

[Lynda2475]

Everyone has a part to play. Blaming government is a national sport of course but personal responsibility has to come in to it as well. Not everyone who works in an aged care home or healthcare setting will want to be vaccinated either. Those professions are not an exception to those who are suspicious of vaccines.

But my point was entirely about personal responsibility. If you are a residential aged care worker you qualified for vaccination under 1A, so have had months (since Feb) to get vaccinated, you just needed to make an appointment and go.

The governments are responsible for dragging their feet on the residents but when it comes to workers the onus is on them.

If working in hospital, aged care or HQ system, vaccination should be mandatory. If you dont want to get vaccinated you are free to work elsewhere. Low exposure risk jobs, let people choose, high exposure your choice is vax or leave.

 

[Must...Fly!]

But my point was entirely about personal responsibility. If you are a residential aged care worker you qualified for vaccination under 1A, so have had months (since Feb) to get vaccinated, you just needed to make an appointment and go.

I am agreeing with you....

 

[Hvr]

Not everyone who works in an aged care home or healthcare setting will want to be vaccinated either.

Many roles have 'inherent requirements', it would not be unreasonable to make specific vaccinations compulsory for this role.

An 'inherent requirement' is integral to be able to perform the job. My current role requires I have non criminal record, Australian citizenship etc.

Many years ago when I was in a role where I was the First Aider I was required to have the various Hepatitis vaccinations. As do many organisations who employ security guards.

If I was driving a vehicle for my employer I would be required to have the appropriate licence.

I cannot see how it would be unreasonable to insist that people who work with vulnerable people, have the required checks and vaccinations.

 

[Pushka]

Not everyone who works in an aged care home or healthcare setting will want to be vaccinated either.

We had to show proof of flu vaccination last year when we were working with aged care residents. Why would Covid be any different? Alarmingly SA Health advised a few weeks ago that 15% of workers in the med hotel had refused vaccination.

 

[Lynda2475]

15% of workers in the med hotel had refused vaccination

Time for them to find a new job

 

[serfty]

My Mum in law has Alzheimer's and is resident at a nearby aged care home. SWMBO is the oldest daughter and has (Medical) power of Attorney; March she received documents with which to authorize Vaccination. These were completed and returned to the home.

SWMBO did discuss this with her younger siblings (note they all in their 60's). There was significant push back from two of them - neither of whom intend to get themselves vaccinated for COVID-19. One came around eventually; the other reluctantly accepted it being a Fait accompli.

M-I-L had her second Pfizer three weeks ago. (We were told by home management that almost every resident had been vaccinated - permission had been withheld for some).