7 July 2021
You may have heard that the Government has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for all residential aged care employees.
This 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 and all individuals who access, or are reasonably likely to access, a residential aged care home or associated administration buildings. Therefore, this applies also to our volunteers and contractors.
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. 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 and advocating for our employees, volunteers and contractors, 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, volunteers and contractor to have received a minimum first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
What vaccine will be offered?
We understand that our volunteers and contractors will likely be offered the Pfizer 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, volunteers and contractors 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.
Should I tell Whiddon if I have had the vaccine?
Yes. Please provide evidence that you have had the vaccine to your primary contact at Whiddon.
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.