• Public

  • Public
  • Network
  • Groups
  • Featured
  • Popular
  • People

The data shows nearly half of the homes where less than 10 per cent of residents have had a Covid vaccination were based in NSW, a quarter were in Victoria, 16 were in Queensland and eight in South Australia. Tasmania had one and Western Australia made up the remainder. In around 700 homes, less than half of residents received a vaccine in the last 12 months. Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson said residential aged care homes with low rates raised questions about whether those in charge are focusing enough on protecting older people in their care from serious disease. She said the watchdog would be undertaking unannounced site visits to residential care homes with low Covid vaccination rates to determine the reasons why. “Where we find that a provider lacks interest and, or, capability to take the necessary action, and their ongoing inattention to this vital preventive measure is placing residents in harm’s way, there will be regulatory consequences,” Ms Anderson said. The Department of Health and Aged Care recommends those aged over 75 should have a Covid vaccine every six months, while those aged 65 to 74 should have one every year. Last week there were 4147 active Covid cases – 2888 were residents – from 487 live outbreaks in aged care facilities across Australia. There were also 48 Covid deaths. More than 6600 aged care residents have died from the virus since the pandemic began.