7 July 2021
We would like to share more information with you about the COVID-19 vaccine, which has now been mandated by the Government for all residential aged care employees.
Whiddon welcomes the announcement. We have so many precious lives in our care and the vaccine provides a critical line of defence against COVID-19 entering our care homes and services.
We recognise and appreciate how our teams have worked tirelessly to keep our residents and clients safe since the start of the pandemic. The vaccine is an important milestone in the fight against COVID-19 and the current outbreak in Sydney reminds us of how easily things can change. We are committed to supporting you and advocating for you, to ensure that access to the vaccine is made as easy as possible for you and we thank you for helping to keep our family safe.
When does the mandate come into effect?
From 17 September 2021, it will be mandatory for all residential aged care employees to have received a minimum first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This will be a mandatory condition of employment as per the Government announcement.
Who does the mandate apply to?
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination will apply to all people working at a residential aged care facility who are responsible for resident care, support and services for residents, and maintenance and administration. This includes nursing and personal care staff, allied health professionals, administration staff, kitchen, cleaning, laundry and garden staff. This mandate also applies to volunteers.
Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination also applies to all individuals who access, or are reasonably likely to access, a residential aged care home or associated administration buildings. Therefore, the mandate applies to Support Services employees and Home Care Employees (who attend Whiddon homes).
What vaccine will be offered?
All residential aged care employees, regardless of age, will be offered the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Employees can also choose to have the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. GPs can continue to administer AstraZeneca to Australians under 60 years of age with informed consent.
How can I get my vaccine?
We will be working with the Government to understand what support will be available and to ensure that all employees have access to a COVID-19 vaccination as quickly and safely as possible. We will provide details on how you can access your vaccine, such as through in-reach clinics held onsite, once we know more.
In the interim, you may be able to access the vaccine from your GP or other clinics. There is information on the Department of Health’s website about the mandate and how to access a COVID-19 vaccination (click here to read this).
Should I tell Whiddon if I have had the vaccine?
Yes. We are required to report the number of vaccinated employees to the Government each week. Please note that no personal information is included in this reporting. Please send evidence of your vaccine to payroll@whiddon.com.au
Will I be supported to access my vaccine?
Yes. The Government has established a program in recognition of the new requirement for mandatory vaccinations of residential aged care employees, to ensure all residential aged care workers have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior 17 September 2021. This includes support for casual residential aged care employees accessing off-site vaccinations or paid leave if they are unwell after having a vaccine.
Will there be any exemptions for people who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical reasons?
As yet, the government has not provided this level of information. Once we are aware of any approved exemptions we will communicate these to the team.
I’m worried about vaccine safety and effectiveness, where can I find out more about this?
All vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety before they are approved for use in Australia. This includes careful analysis of clinical trial data, ingredients, chemistry, manufacturing and other factors. According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), since the beginning of the vaccine roll out to 27 June 2021, there have been over 7.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Australia. Of these, the TGA has reported only 0.4% of adverse events following vaccination. That is, 4.6 cases of adverse events per 1,000 doses. The most common adverse events are headache, muscle and joint pain, fever, chills and injection site reactions.
There have been some studies that have shown that the vaccines are proving effective in reducing the severity of symptoms and reducing the likelihood of hospitalisation. As always we recommend you keep yourself informed. For more information on study results please visit www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.22.21255913v1
More information about COVID-19 vaccination safety and effectiveness can be found at the following websites:
• www.tga.gov.au
• www.health.gov.au
You can also talk to your GP if you have any questions about the vaccine.