The COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Australia has begun

[OATEK]

By way of explanation I mentioned GH in terms of which facilities the Commonwealth (National and so not just Victoria) are responsible for in terms of the vaccination program, and which facilities are the responsibility of the Victorian Government (Only facilities in Victoria = Victorian Public Sector Facilities).

There seems to have been a stark difference in the rollout of these two different branches of vaccination for Aged Care Facilities in Victoria (and presumably nationally as well). One branch has been delivered in a timely manner, and one branch not.

In Victoria the State Run Facilities completed all their first doses by 28th April. (Caveat, not data was mentioned on how many if any refused.) Their staff were also integrated into the vaccination rollout.

It is the Commonwealth section of the the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccination program., and hence GH responsibility, of the vaccination rollout that is behind schedule. The Victorian Government section of the the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 vaccination program was delivered by a reasonable date.

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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Staff at Victorian public sector aged care facilities have also had the opportunity to be vaccinated during outreach visits. They are also able to be vaccinated at hospital vaccination hubs, high-volume centres, or through a GP.​

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Note:​

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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

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Yes but the underlying issue is that it won't matter how many times GH has teams visiting RACF settings, not all staff will be vaccinated. There is no basis for compulsion at present, and if say a policy was to have all RNs vaccinated it is my understanding it would have to be done through state based registration requirements.

 

[dajop]

Reinforcing a life goal to never end up in aged care!

It does seem to be quite a lottery too. From what we observed my grandmother (the only 1 of 4 that ended up in a home) was had a not entirely unpleasant experience, the home was quite well run (it was a state government operated facility in regional Vic), whilst her sister was in a different, privately run home all of 1.5km away and the experience from what we can tell was definitely worse.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes but the underlying issue is that it won't matter how many times GH has teams visiting RACF settings, not all staff will be vaccinated. There is no basis for compulsion at present, and if say a policy was to have all RNs vaccinated it is my understanding it would have to be done through state based registration requirements.

I think the problem is more the general aged care staff (ie personal care staff, cleaners, kitchen staff ) who make up the vast majority of the aged care workforce rather than the RNs or ENs. Most aged care facilities only have a small number of actual nurses on staff.


A registration scheme for these workers seems like it will take a while yet...

The aged care royal commission made 148 recommendations to overhaul the aged care system including for government to create a national registration for personal care workers by July 2022.​

Worker registration an obstacle to recruiting, retaining staff - Australian Ageing Agenda

The royal commission’s recommendation to regulate the personal care workforce through registration will create barriers for new and existing staff, an organisational psychologist tells Australian Ageing Agenda.

www.australianageingagenda.com.au

The Commonwealth sets the agenda for Aged Care and so it is the level of government that should be driving this.


Many worksites require various "tickets" in order for people to work there. Why nota vaccination certificate for both CV19 and Flu. Though with a strong female workforce there are issues such as pregnancy and vaccination that need to be considered.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

It does seem to be quite a lottery too. From what we observed my grandmother (the only 1 of 4 that ended up in a home) was had a not entirely unpleasant experience, the home was quite well run (it was a state government operated facility in regional Vic), whilst her sister was in a different, privately run home all of 1.5km away and the experience from what we can tell was definitely worse.

There is a vast difference between facilities. Many are simply appalling. Others are excellent.

While it would not be my preference to ever enter one and I intend to avoid it my MIL loves hers, and often comments on how much it has improved her life. She is a widow and so enjoys the company and activities. It is very well run and has a good vibe. My MIL has multiple medical issues, and having a nurse to manage her medications and attend to various matters is a of great value and comfort to her.

So different strokes for different folks.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Today's Vaccination Update May 31 (So for Sunday).

 

[mviy]

What some here have been calling for. The Age headline on tomorrow's Front Page "No vaccine, no work on COVID-19 front line". It states that "Public sector aged workers in Victoria who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be stood down from front-line duties..."

This should encourage more aged care workers to get vaccinated.

 

[mviy]

The article I mentioned is now on the web: No jab, no work on COVID front line for aged care staff

 

[burmans]

Even News are now hammering the ‘the rollout isn’t fast enough’ line now. Expect another announcement.

Australia’s embarrassing Covid jab fail — news.com.au

Australia is falling further and further behind in one key Covid-19 battleground after new figures revealed other nations were forging ahead.

apple.news

 

[OZDUCK]

Well the Federal Aged Care Minister seems unconcerned - or in denial. Ex ABC News regarding the rollout in the Aged Care area. -

"After a grilling at Senate Estimates, Mr Colbeck said the federal government was "comfortable" with the rollout to date."

 

[lovetravellingoz]

And if you thought the rollout was slow in Residential Aged Care, Residential Disability Care is far worse...

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Today's (1 June) numbers update:

 

[mviy]

Well would you rather they had skipped the aged care residents and done the disability residents first? They had to start with the most at risk first. They don't have unlimited staff to do the rollout.

 

[drron]

And if you thought the rollout was slow in Residential Aged Care, Residential Disability Care is far worse...

View attachment 249338

A lot of those in Disability residential accommodation are under the care of the NDIS.Their houses usually have a staff member present 24/7.Why didn't the NDIS arrange for those under their care to get vaccinated?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well would you rather they had skipped the aged care residents and done the disability residents first? They had to start with the most at risk first. They don't have unlimited staff to do the rollout.

They had to start with the most at risk first = 100% agree, but they chose not to as this category was rated more at risk than some who have been vaccinated. Indeed as the number is approximately 23,000 this could easily have been accommodated as there has been many multiples of lower risk people vaccinated than the 23,000.

There are other lower risk people, and of late much lower categories, who have been vaccinated and who could have been done after those in Disability Care.

There are many ways to skin a cat. Many in disability care could have been processed through either Hubs or GP RC's (depending on age).

From drron

A lot of those in Disability residential accommodation are under the care of the NDIS .Their houses usually have a staff member present 24/7.Why didn't the NDIS arrange for those under their care to get vaccinated?​

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So a number of these could have been completed readily enough.

If Feds could not facilitate by themselves, then they needed to have worked more closely with the States and GP RC's?

ie There is now a fast lane for aged are workers in Vic for Aged Care workers. Why was there not a way of ensuring priority for a high priority category?

Again we are talking of only 23,000 people.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

A lot of those in Disability residential accommodation are under the care of the NDIS.Their houses usually have a staff member present 24/7.Why didn't the NDIS arrange for those under their care to get vaccinated?

There have been a number of media reports going back some time of concerned parents asking why they could be vaccinated, but that their disabled offspring had to wait.

OFFTOPIC: So I will not elaborate too much. NDIS is a good concept, but unfortunately how it is being executed has many flaws. First hand experience with my brother makes me shudder for those who do not have others to progress their case, care and entitlements.

 

[mviy]

Were it not for lockdown I may have headed to Sydney in a few weeks to try this:

'It allowed me to book': People under 40 are getting their COVID-19 vaccines early in NSW

Despite their eligibility phase not being announced yet, people aged under 40 have been able to book vaccinations online and receive their jabs using links being shared on WhatsApp and social media.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[burmans]

Well the Federal Aged Care Minister seems unconcerned - or in denial. Ex ABC News regarding the rollout in the Aged Care area. -

"After a grilling at Senate Estimates, Mr Colbeck said the federal government was "comfortable" with the rollout to date."

I think he has been targeted as the fall guy here. Not sure he’s been told yet but am sure they have a privileged position outside politics lined up.

Post automatically merged: Jun 1, 2021

And if you thought the rollout was slow in Residential Aged Care, Residential Disability Care is far worse...

View attachment 249338

Yep and unfortunately not new news!

 

[burmans]

Well would you rather they had skipped the aged care residents and done the disability residents first? They had to start with the most at risk first. They don't have unlimited staff to do the rollout.

Fair argument 3 months ago but a bit weak now. They promised the would be complete March, in case you haven’t noticed it’s now June.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Were it not for lockdown I may have headed to Sydney in a few weeks to try this:

'It allowed me to book': People under 40 are getting their COVID-19 vaccines early in NSW

Despite their eligibility phase not being announced yet, people aged under 40 have been able to book vaccinations online and receive their jabs using links being shared on WhatsApp and social media.

www.sbs.com.au

a friend told me his 69 year old sister in Sydney wanted Pfizer and she was given a link and booked herself and has successfully been vaccinated. No checks as to eligibility once you use the link. Kind of sad

 

[mviy]

I kind of think now by the time I could take advantage of this if the loophole remains open I may be eligible for the vaccine anyway in Vic in which case it'll be easier to just get it here.